Cheetahs set to roar in Bengaluru, Bannerghatta to welcome African pair; pumas, jaguars to follow
Representative image
BENGALURU: After the reintroduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh, the famed African cheetahs are set to make their debut in Bengaluru in the coming months.
The Bannerughatta Biological Park (BBP), as part of its animal-exchange programme, is all set to get a pair of cheetahs from South Africa.
BBP will be the third facility in India, after Hyderabad and Mysuru, to house the famed hunting cheetahs.
In addition, BBP will further diversify its carnivore collection by adding jaguars, pumas and other exotic animals from overseas.
Flagging off India's first electric bus wildlife safari at Bannerughatta virtually from Vikasa Soudha, forest minister Eshwar Khandre Wednesday said Bannerughatta is all set to expand its animal collection.
Take e-bus safari now at BBP
In the next 4 to 5 months, BBP will import a pair of hunting cheetahs from South Africa. In 2026, BBP is set to get jaguars, pumas, and 10 other exotic wildlife from overseas," Khandre said. As part of the exchange of animals, BBP will send an elephant to one of the zoos in Japan.
Along with these animals, BBP will also get capuchin monkeys (South America) and chimpanzees. Currently, BBP, with its zoo, rescue centre, and safari facilities, has the highest density of carnivore animals in the country.
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Sources at Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) told TOI that cheetahs are likely to be brought to BBP from the Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Centre in South Africa and will be housed at a facility created for these cats.
In May 2025, BBP surpassed its previous record for the highest footfall with 2.8 lakh visitors.
Stating that the safari at BBP offers a unique experience to visitors, Khandre said, "Unlike other safaris across India, sighting of lions, tigers, leopards, and sloth bears is ensured here. Currently, we use diesel-powered vehicles, which add to carbon emissions. Aimed at reducing this carbon emission, for the first time in India, we are introducing e-bus safari as pilot."
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A large crowd had recently gathered at Harihar Fort in Nashik, sparking safety concerns. Video footage that surfaced on social media showed visitors navigating slippery stone steps with little room for movement. Some individuals were seen sitting on the edge of the gorge, ignoring safety warnings. A senior forest officer from Western Forest Division told TOI, "Restrictions have been imposed on visiting popular trekking destinations and waterfalls in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar forest ranges to prevent accidents during the monsoon." "Entry to locations such as Harihar Fort, Anjaneri, and Brahmagiri has been prohibited after 2 pm to prevent any untoward incident till the monsoon ends. We decided to allow only 300 visitors in the first phase," added the officer. Similar overcrowding issues were reported from several other forts in the state since the first week of June. Experts have warned that the situation could worsen if timely measures are not implemented. Umesh Zirpe, an experienced trekker, said, "The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous at each fort in the state. Deaths during such treks are on the rise every year." "We need an effective mechanism in place to control the menace of overcrowding. Otherwise, we are just waiting for another major tragedy to happen. Every year, around ten people die while trekking," added Zirpe, who is the founder and president of Gripremi Adventure Foundation. Forts such as Raigad, Pratapgad, Ajinkyatara in Satara, Torna, Rajgad, Tung, Sinhagad, Lohegad, Tikona, and others in Junnar tehsils are popular trekking destinations for amateur trekkers and visitors, particularly in the monsoon. The scenery near these forts during monsoon is extremely alluring, and hence, those who are not acquainted with the local conditions also organise treks without any preparation. As a result, they often get lost due to heavy rainfall and foggy conditions. Tejas Garge, the director of Maharashtra Archaeology and Museum, told TOI, "We are carrying out an analysis of the carrying capacity of each prominent fort listed as UNESCO heritage. Private consultant agencies will also be appointed for other forts across the state. Once we have this information, we will be able to decide how many visitors we can allow in a day." To monitor and ensure effective implementation, we have also planned to appoint security personnel from the state security agency at each fort. They will control the crowd and look after security and safety aspects at each location, he said. "We have planed to implement these measures with the help of state forest department and respective district and police authorities to prevent any untoward incident in future," Garge added. There are several trek trails in and around Lonavala, Tamhini Ghat section, near Bhimashankar in Ambegaon, and Naneghat in Junnar tehsil. Many people do not even carry basic safety equipment and clothes to safeguard themselves in the event of an emergency, said experts. Although the district administration prohibits entry every season, thousands of people go to forts and on trekking trails. "Poor enforcement of the order by the forest department and police is also one of the contributory factors behind overcrowding," said Keshav Tengle, a regular trekker.
