A suspended official from the National Zoological Park in New Delhi has claimed that a jackal was discovered in a lifeless state within a Himalayan black bear enclosure in December 2022. This statement contradicts the zoo's inquiry report, which, dated January 12, 2026, concluded that no evidence of such a death existed. The official stated that the jackal entered the enclosure on December 13, and was found motionless in a burrow on December 18. However, the zoo's inquiry indicated that extensive search operations on December 13 and 14 yielded no signs of the jackal. The report did mention that traditional deterrents, such as whole chillies, were found near the burrow, which staff used to prevent stray animals from entering the enclosure. While the inquiry dismissed the claim of the jackal's death, it noted procedural lapses in the response to the situation. The zoo authority has yet to provide a comment on the matter.