As of June 2025, which of the following city has surpassed Mumbai to become the India's leopard capital?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Bengaluru: India's New 'Leopard Capital'
According to the latest wildlife surveys and Forest Department reports up to June 2025, Bengaluru has surpassed Mumbai in terms of leopard numbers within its city limits.
The main reason: Bengaluru's perimeter is connected to vast forested areas such as Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and the surrounding rocky hills (Turahalli, Kanakapura Road), which provide ideal habitats for leopards.
Comparison: Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) was previously known for having the highest urban leopard density in the world, but Bengaluru has now seen a significant increase in leopard numbers and human-leopard interactions.
Speciality: Bengaluru's leopards have been found active not only in forests but also near apartment complexes and industrial areas on the outskirts, becoming a part of the urban ecology.