Forest Department searches for leopard in West Bengaluru's BEL Layout
The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has launched an intensified search operation after a leopard was spotted in BEL Layout and Bharat Nagar in West Bengaluru during the early hours of Thursday. While officials have not reported any fresh sightings of the animal since then, search teams have been deployed to secure the residential localities and locate the leopard.
On Friday, forest officials and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) cleared dense bushes in a section of the area where the leopard was suspected to be hiding. Though the joint clearing operation did not yield any immediate signs of the animal, officials believe the leopard may have already moved towards the nearby Turahalli Forest.
A specialized Leopard Task Force has been deployed to comb the West Bengaluru neighborhoods. The department has already installed one capture cage in the area and plans to place a second one shortly. Additionally, forest officials are prepared to deploy thermal imaging and optical sensor drones to track and safely capture the animal once its location is confirmed.
AV Surya Sen, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Bengaluru Urban, explained the challenges of the operation. "Leopards are very elusive animals. As of now, we do not know whether the leopard is still in the area. We have already placed one cage while another will be installed soon. We have the technology in place and will use thermal imaging and optical sensor drones once we locate the animal for safe capture," Sen said.
The Forest Department has urged local residents to remain cautious but advised against panicking. "We know that leopards make good use of this landscape and know their way around. Citizens should not panic but remain cautious," Sen said. He recommended that citizens avoid venturing out alone at night, and if they do, they should not wear headphones while walking. "We need to be careful as we coexist with wildlife. We will continue monitoring the area through field staff as well as CCTV cameras," Sen added.
