Leopard sighting in Byadarahalli triggers search operation - The HinduPublished - July 11, 2026 10:34 pm IST - BengaluruResidents of Bharat Nagar in Bydarahalli area panicked after a leopard was spotted crossing a road on Friday night, prompting an immediate search operation by police and the Forest Department.The sighting was first reported by local residents and was later confirmed through CCTV footage from the area, which captured the leopard moving along a residential road.Officials alertFollowing the alert, police and Forest officials launched a search operation in and around Bharat Nagar, but the leopard appears to have moved out of the locality. However, surveillance has been intensified in Bharat Nagar and adjoining areas to monitor any further movement and prevent potential human-wildlife conflict.Residents said the incident came as a shock, with many stating they had never before seen a leopard in the neighbourhood. Officials suspect the animal may have wandered into the area from nearby forested or green belt regions.Preferred habitatThe neighbourhood lies close to the intersection of Magadi Road and NICE Road. While spotting the leopard in the significantly urbanised locality has come as a shock to the residents, wildlife biologist Sanjay Gubbi pointed out that the area is interspersed with rocky outcrop and scrub forests, which are preferred habitats of leopards.“Sometimes leopards stray into human habitations; Occasionally, while chasing a dog, they might lose their path and end up in areas densely populated by humans, which otherwise they don’t prefer. But certainly, Bengaluru has a lot of leopards around it. Our estimate itself shows about 35 leopards outside Bannerughatta and about eighty-five leopards around Bangalore City,” he said.Pointing to previous leopard sightings in localities near Infosys Campus and Anekal Road, he said such incidents, although rare, are not new.Published - July 11, 2026 10:34 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }