An unexpected sighting of a Royal Bengal tiger cub near Gangtok has stirred excitement among wildlife enthusiasts and prompted swift action from forest authorities, after a school student photographed the young animal at the edge of the Chongay forest, just eight kilometres from the city. The rare encounter occurred on the afternoon of December 2, when the student, returning home through the Shyari constituency, noticed movement near the forest boundary. To his surprise, a tiger cub emerged briefly from the foliage. Acting quickly, he captured a photograph before the cub retreated into the thick vegetation.
The student’s father immediately alerted officials after receiving the image. Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, area MLA and advisor to the Forest Department, rushed to the spot with forest personnel to assess the situation and determine whether intervention was necessary. By the time the team arrived, the tiger cub had disappeared deeper into the undergrowth. Forest officials revisited the site on December 3 to conduct a more detailed search, hoping to track signs of the cub’s movement or locate its possible resting area. Despite their efforts, the young tiger remained untraceable.
The sighting has drawn significant attention because Royal Bengal tiger cubs are seldom seen near human settlements in Sikkim. Conservationists note that such sightings can indicate changes in wildlife movement, habitat connectivity, or prey availability in the region.