Carcass of pregnant leopard found in outskirts of Bengaluru

A carcass of a pregnant leopard which died a few days ago has been found by the forest department while on patrol in the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday (January 1, 2026) said that the carcass of a female leopard aged between three to four years was found by the forest department personnel on December 27, 2025 in the Basavanatara forest area of Kaggalipura zone which falls under Bengaluru Urban Division.

Mr. Khandre said that the body of a leopard which had died about two or three days earlier was found on December 27 in Survey No. 51 .

“During the post-mortem examination, it was found that there were three cubs in the leopard’s stomach. It is estimated that the leopard died due to a large rock explosion from a nearby quarry and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in this regard, this office has been informed,” Mr. Khandre said.

Following the incident Yeshwanthpur MLA S.T. Somasekar has alleged that illegal mining has been taking place in the area for some time and the leopard’s death was due to blasting at one of the quarries.

He said that he had written to Mr. Khandre about this matter and urged him to investigate the matter and ban illegal quarrying in the area which is causing serious threat to the wildlife habitat.

Mr. Khandre in a note to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden has directed that a thorough investigation be conducted immediately to ascertain whether mining is taking place in the forest area and that action be taken as per the rules against those responsible for the death of wildlife.