Shimla: Sheru, a leopard that had been one of the major attractions at the Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri for nearly two decades, has died, with questions being raised over the circumstances surrounding his death.
Sheru had reportedly spent more than 17 years at the Kufri facility after being rescued as a cub following a forest fire in 2009. The Forest Department has maintained that the leopard died after falling ill due to age-related complications. However, questions have been raised by some local residents and sources over whether injuries sustained in a possible confrontation with another leopard could have contributed to his death.
Sources have further raised concerns over the post-mortem process, alleging that the final report could potentially attribute the death to illness or old age even if injuries are found. There is, however, no independent confirmation of any attempt to alter or influence the post-mortem report. The Forest Department has denied the possibility that Sheru was killed or seriously injured in an attack by another leopard and has maintained that he had been unwell for some time.
The leopard’s carcass has reportedly been sent for post-mortem examination. The report is expected to establish the cause of death and determine whether the animal had suffered any significant injuries before dying.
Sheru’s story dates back to 2009, when a major forest fire reportedly orphaned the month-old cub. The Forest Department rescued him and subsequently brought him to the Himalayan Nature Park, where he was raised and became a familiar attraction for visitors.
Spread over nearly 90.7 hectares, the Himalayan Nature Park houses several rare and endangered species, including musk deer, Himalayan monal, western tragopan, barking deer, leopard cat, sambar, goral and Himalayan tahr. The park attracts more than two lakh visitors annually.
The post-mortem findings are now likely to be crucial in settling questions surrounding Sheru’s
