Over 80 leopards inhabit Bengaluru

A recent study has revealed that more than 80 leopards inhabit Bengaluru and its surrounding forested areas, raising concerns about increasing human-wildlife encounters. Conducted by wildlife expert Dr. Sanjay Gubbi and his team from the Holematthi Nature Foundation, the year-long research used camera traps to monitor leopard populations across a 282 sq km area, including Bannerghatta National Park and adjacent green zones.

The study Identified 54 leopards in Bannerghatta and around 30 more in forest patches and institutional lands such as BM Kaval, UM Kaval, Turahalli, Sulikere, Mandur, Hesaraghatta, and others. These findings position Bengaluru as the only Indian metro city with major carnivores—leopards, tigers, and bears—living in close proximity to urban life, along with herbivores like elephants and wild boars.

Compared to Mumbai’s recorded 54 leopards, Bengaluru now reports a higher count. Experts suggest this rise, especially in Bannerghatta (from 40 in 2019 to 54 now), may reflect improved protection measures. The study also logged 34 other mammal species, including four endangered and four near-threatened ones. Many of these are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The report recommends declaring BM Kaval, UM Kaval, and other key areas as conservation reserves to preserve both biodiversity and water sources. It also urges halting the relocation of leopards from other regions into Bannerghatta, and calls for urgent protection of the Muneswarabetta-Bannerghatta wildlife corridor. As Bengaluru rapidly urbanizes, the study stresses the importance of fostering coexistence and raising public awareness to ensure sustainable conservation in this growing metropolis.