Ecosystem Services by Urban Wildlife of Bengaluru

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How the city’s wild residents silently sustain our urban environment

Bengaluru is often called the “Garden City,” but beyond its gardens and lakes lies a complex network of wild species that quietly keep the city’s natural systems in balance. From pollination and pest control to seed dispersal and waste management, urban wildlife plays an indispensable role in supporting the health and sustainability of our city.

1. Birds – Nature’s Gardeners and Pest Managers

Species like bulbuls, barbets, sunbirds, and mynas help pollinate flowering plants and disperse seeds across fragmented green patches. Kites, crows, and owls serve as natural scavengers and rodent controllers, reducing disease risks and keeping ecosystems clean.
 At PfA, we frequently rescue injured kites and crows — a reminder of how closely these species coexist with our everyday lives, and how vital they are to Bengaluru’s ecological balance.


2. Bats – The Night Pollinators

Though often misunderstood, fruit bats are essential for the pollination of many native trees such as figs and guavas. Their nightly feeding routes help regenerate green cover across the city, especially in urban parks and lakesides.

3. Snakes – Silent Pest Controllers

Bengaluru’s rat snakes, cobras, and checkered keelbacks play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations, which can otherwise damage crops, homes, and even electrical infrastructure.
 Our rescue team at PfA responds to hundreds of snake rescue calls each month, ensuring these valuable predators are safely relocated back to their natural habitats.



4. Insects – The Foundation of Biodiversity

Bees, butterflies, and beetles are the invisible workforce of Bengaluru’s ecology. They pollinate flowering plants, help maintain genetic diversity, and serve as food for many birds and reptiles. Without them, our parks and gardens would lose much of their vitality.

5. Mammals – Coexistence in Motion

Urban monkeys, civets, and even small mammals like squirrels play their part in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. While some species, like bonnet macaques, have adapted boldly to human spaces, their behaviors offer lessons in how wildlife adapts and thrives amidst urban change.



6. Wetland Residents – Keeping Lakes Alive

Around the city’s lakes, herons, egrets, frogs, and fish maintain water quality by controlling algae and insect populations. These wetlands are microhabitats that support biodiversity while improving air quality and cooling the city’s microclimate.

Building a City that Coexists

Bengaluru’s urban wildlife is not just surviving — it’s actively providing ecological services that make the city livable. Every rescue, every release, and every small patch of green space contributes to a network of life that sustains us in return.

At PfA Wildlife Hospital, we witness firsthand the value of protecting these species. By rescuing, rehabilitating, and rewilding, we help maintain the natural systems that make Bengaluru thrive.

Let’s remember — every bird, bat, or snake we save is a vital part of the city’s unseen ecosystem engine.

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