A leopard that had been evading capture near the high-security campus of Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) in Mysuru was finally trapped on Friday. The BRBNMPL, a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is responsible for printing Indian currency, making the situation particularly sensitive.
The leopard had been spotted on the campus taking cover in the dense vegetation. However, the facility’s extensive network of CCTV cameras detected the animal’s presence, alerting security personnel, reported The Hindu. Authorities immediately launched a covert operation to capture the leopard, ensuring minimal disruption to the facility’s operations.
Over the course of 20 days, officials strategically placed cattle pen cages at four different locations on the campus. Their efforts paid off in the early hours of February 28, when the leopard was successfully trapped.
High-security intrusion’ in RBI Mysuru campus ends as Forest Department captures leopard on the prowl
A leopard, which was playing hide and seek with the financial guardians of the nation, was captured near the campus of the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited… pic.twitter.com/Nvkq8vgunq
— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) February 28, 2025
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Prabhu Gowda, confirmed that the captured leopard is an adult male, as per a report on Hindustan Times. Authorities are currently conducting health checks on the animal to ensure it is fit for release. Once cleared, the leopard is expected to be released back into the wild.
The incident highlights the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence, especially in areas where urban development encroaches on natural habitats. There has been several leopard spotting incidents in the past in Karnataka’s Bengaluru. Previously, when leopard was spotted in Mysuru Infosys, workers were given Work-From-Home (WFH) to avoid man-animal conflict and avoid any untoward incidents.
