Bengaluru — India’s New Leopard Capital

Current Context : A year-long camera-trap survey (2024–25) by the Holématthi Nature Foundation, led by Dr Sanjay Gubbi, recorded 80–85 free-ranging leopards around Bengaluru—surpassing Mumbai’s 54—making Bengaluru the ‘Leopard Capital’ of India.

ABOUT BENGALURU LEOPARD POPULATION

Location & Survey Area

• Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) plus adjacent forests and scrublands cover 282 km² (Turahalli, B.M. Kaval, U.M. Kaval, Roerich Estate, Gollahalli Gudda, Sulikere, Hesaraghatta, Marasandra, Manduru).
• 250+ camera traps deployed across government and private lands.

Survey Methodology & Findings

• Camera-trap study from June 2024 to May 2025.
• Total leopards: 80–85 individuals.
  • Inside BNP: 54 leopards (up from 40 in 2019, 47 in 2020)
• Fringe forests: ~30 leopards roaming reserved, deemed, and private forests