Carcass of pregnant leopard found in outskirts of Bengaluru

The carcass of a pregnant leopard, which died a few days ago, was found by the forest department while patrolling on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

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

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

Khandre said, “In the autopsy examination, it was found that the leopard had 3 cubs in its stomach. It is estimated that the leopard died as a result of a large rock explosion that occurred in a nearby quarry, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in this regard and this office was informed.”

Following the incident, Yeshwanthpur MLA ST Somasekar claimed that illegal mining had been going on in the area for some time and that the death of the leopard was due to an explosion in one of the quarries.

He said he had written to Mr Khandre on the issue and urged him to look into the matter and ban illegal quarrying in the area, which poses a serious threat to wildlife habitat.

In a note to the Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Mr. Khandre ordered an immediate thorough investigation to ascertain whether mining was taking place in the forest area and action as per rules against those responsible for the death of wildlife.