Bengaluru Declared India’s 'Leopard Capital' with 85 Wild Leopards Roaming Free.
National
In June 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) was declared India's 'Leopard Capital' following a year-long camera-trap survey (2024–2025) conducted by the Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF), headquartered in Bengaluru. The survey, led by renowned conservation biologist Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, revealed that Bengaluru hosts the highest population of free-ranging wild leopards among India’s metropolitan cities, surpassing Mumbai (Maharashtra).
- The study estimated 80–85 leopards across the forests and scrublands surrounding Bengaluru, exceeding Mumbai’s 54 leopards recorded within Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra.
- The survey covered an area of 282 square kilometers (sq km) using over 250 camera traps, capturing data across mixed habitats including Turahalli, B.M. Kaval, U.M. Kaval, Roerich Estate, and Bannerghatta National Park (BNP).
- Of the total leopard count, 54 individuals were recorded inside Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), while over 30 leopards were found in reserved, deemed, and private forest lands on the outskirts of the city.
Main Point :- (i) With this, Bengaluru earned the title of 'Leopard Capital of India', becoming the only Indian metro whose periphery supports a complete assemblage of large mammals including tigers, dholes, elephants, gaur, and sambar, alongside leopards.
(ii) The study documented 34 mammal species, including 4 Endangered and 4 Near Threatened species, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
(iii) Additionally, 22 species were listed under Schedule I, and 5 under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
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