85 leopards thriving in Bengaluru's shrinking backyard: Study

Bengaluru: Areas on the outskirts of Bengaluru are home to 80-85 leopards, which not only coexist with a rising population but also with four endangered animals -- tiger, dhol, elephant and pangolin, says a year-long long study by Holemathi Nature Foundation.

Led by conservation biologist Sanjay Gubbi, a team of researchers from the foundation set up over 250 camera traps across 282 sq km of mixed habitat of agricultural lands, private fields and forests.

The findings gave several insights on the key measures required for long-term conservation of the animal classified as near threatened.

Of the 80-85 leopards in Bengaluru's backyard, 54 were inside BNP while the remaining 30 roamed the reserved and deemed forests besides private lands in the periphery. "The study covered all parts of Bengaluru including Hesaraghatta and adjoining areas, west Bengaluru (Sulikere and adjoining areas) east (Marasandra, Mandur and adjoining areas)," Gubbi told DH.

Coexistence is key

A total of 34 mammal species were photo captured during the study. Leopards coexisted with four endangered animals -- tiger, dhole, elephant and Indian Pangolin -- and three near threatened - rusty-spotted cat, Indian chevrotain (mouse deer), painted wooly bat. Four vulnerable species of sloth bear, sambhar, four-horned antelope and smooth-coated otter were also recorded.

"Twenty two species fall under Schedule I and five under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, underscoring the national and global importance of safeguarding Bengaluru’s remaining natural habitat," it said, noting that bats and small rodents were outside the study scope.

Gubbi noted that the leopard abundance inside the BNP has climbed steadily — from 40 in 2019 and 47 in 2020 to 54 in 2025 — primarily due to stricter protection that has improved prey availability while past translocation of conflict leopards from other districts may also have contributed to the numbers.

"I think Bannerghatta has reached its carrying capacity. Bengaluru is also ensconcing the northern part of Bannerghatta and is now left with no buffer as buildings and layouts have come up to the edge of the national park. The silver lining to Bannerghatta is that it is connected to Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in the south (we have identified some leopards that use both Bannerghatta and CWS) and some reserved forests in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Protect remaining spaces

The study stressed the need to notify BM Kaval, UM Kaval, Roerich Estate and Gollahali Gudda as a conservation reserves.

It recommended the addition of Durga Dhakal reserved forest, Block B of Bettahalliwade reserved forest and deemed forests of JI Bachahalli and M Maniyambal to BNP. It said there was a need to safeguard the Muneshwara-Bannerghatta wildlife corridor while increasing community outreach efforts for coexistence.

He noted that there were already signs of conflict as Bengaluru expands into the surrounding rocky outcrops, dry deciduous and scrub forests, thus depriving leopards of their natural habitat and prey.

"Due to their relatively small body size and lower caloric needs, leopards can survive on smaller prey such as black-naped hare, porcupine, wild pig and even domestic animals. However, when natural prey numbers decline, leopards increasingly turn to livestock, leading to higher levels of conflict," he said.

Speaking about the methodology, Gubbi said each leopard has a unique rosette pattern on its body and the team was able to identify individual leopards from the images captured.

"Once all individuals were identified, the data were analysed using the Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) statistical methodology to estimate absolute abundance and density," he said, adding that the camera traps were active for a standard duration and checked every 2–3 days to ensure proper functionality.

A camera trap image shows two leopard in a forest area in south Bengaluru. | HNF