Why are wildlife rescue calls increasing in Bengaluru?

Rescue calls are increasing in Bengaluru due to rapid urbanization, habitat loss, increased traffic, and pollution displacing wildlife into urban areas.

What is the 'manja' threat to birds in Bengaluru?

Manja, glass-coated kite strings, causes severe injuries and deaths to birds in Bengaluru, with thousands of cases reported annually by wildlife rescuers.

Are leopards common in Bengaluru's urban areas?

Yes, leopard sightings are becoming increasingly frequent in and around Bengaluru, with the city having a significant free-ranging leopard population.

Home / Environment / Bengaluru's Wildlife Struggles: Urban Sprawl's Toll

Bengaluru's Wildlife Struggles: Urban Sprawl's Toll

12 Dec

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Summary

Urbanization pushes wildlife out, increasing rescue calls in Bengaluru.
Manja and habitat loss cause significant harm to birds and animals.
Leopards and other large mammals are increasingly sighted in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru's Wildlife Struggles: Urban Sprawl's Toll

Rapid urban expansion in Bengaluru is significantly increasing human-wildlife conflict, leading to a rise in rescue calls. Encroachment on natural habitats due to construction, traffic, and pollution forces animals into urban areas. The indiscriminate use of 'manja,' glass-coated kite strings, has become a critical issue, causing severe injuries and deaths among birds, with thousands of such cases reported annually by wildlife hospitals. Habitat loss and reduced tree cover further exacerbate the problem, compelling animals to seek refuge in residential zones.

This urban sprawl has led to an increase in collision-related injuries among birds, especially migratory species drawn off-course by city lights. Rescue centers are also seeing a concerning rise in large mammals like spotted deer and leopards straying into the city, with Bengaluru now having a documented leopard population higher than Mumbai's. Key areas experiencing high volumes of rescue calls include Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Vijayanagar, and Jayanagar, characterized by dense human activity and shrinking green spaces.