Nearly two months after she went missing, the recovery of the decomposed body and skeletal remains of leopard Sweety from Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri has shocked wildlife lovers, raising serious questions over surveillance, animal management and monitoring within the safari enclosure.
Sweety, one of the leopards of the park, had not been sighted since November 2025. Her prolonged absence went unnoticed until her remains were finally discovered a few days ago, triggering widespread concern and scrutiny of the park’s functioning.
Safari park authorities said an autopsy was conducted immediately after the recovery of the body.
Bengal Safari Park Director E Vijay Kumar stated that no alarming findings emerged from the post-mortem examination. “The body was recovered in a highly decomposed condition. The autopsy did not reveal anything suspicious. There is no possibility of any external animal entering the enclosure, but we are keeping the matter under close observation,” he said.
According to park sources, Sweety had a tragic beginning. She was rescued by forest officials on May 16, 2023, from a garden in the Ghoshpukur range of the Kurseong division. At the time, the cub was found sick and helpless beside her mother’s carcass. Following months of intensive treatment and care under expert veterinary supervision, Sweety recovered and was later inducted into the Leopard Safari after reaching maturity.
As per established protocol, Sweety followed a routine— resting in the night shelter and roaming freely in the enclosure during the day. Though there were occasional instances when she returned late or skipped a day, she would usually come back on her own. She was regularly fed.
However, since November 2025, Sweety failed to return. Initially, the absence was dismissed as temporary. When she did not reappear even after three days, concern grew and a search operation was launched. Despite efforts spanning several days, the search was eventually called off—until her remains surfaced.
At present, six leopards inhabit the Bengal Safari enclosure. To preserve their natural hunting instincts, herbivores such as deer are also kept inside. Yet, the circumstances surrounding Sweety’s death remain unresolved. Officials speculate that she may have succumbed to “fear psychosis”— possibly panicking and failing to find her way back to the shelter — or may have been fatally injured during a territorial clash with another leopard.
A detailed report has been submitted to the state forest department and the zoo authority. In the aftermath of the incident, surveillance within the enclosure has been intensified and the perimeter fencing is undergoing thorough inspection.
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