19-month-old cheetah cub dies after being shot in Madhya Pradesh; STF to probe incident
New Delhi: A 19-month-old male cheetah has died after suffering serious injuries caused by firearm pellets in Madhya Pradesh, in what is believed to be the first reported killing of a cheetah in India since the species was reintroduced in 2022. The cub, identified as KNG22, died early Tuesday despite emergency surgery and intensive treatment by veterinary experts.
The animal was found critically injured in Compartment No. 748 of the Morena forest division. An initial X-ray revealed several foreign bodies inside its body, prompting forest officials to begin treatment and seek further medical assistance.
Following consultations with experts, the injured cheetah was shifted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology at NDVSU in Jabalpur for detailed examination and specialised care.
5 firearm pellets recovered during surgery
A CT scan carried out at the veterinary facility revealed that the foreign bodies had caused damage to the cub’s internal organs, musculoskeletal system and nervous system. The findings indicated the severity of the injuries sustained by the animal.
Doctors performed emergency surgery to remove the foreign bodies. During the procedure, five firearm pellets were recovered from the cheetah’s body. However, despite the medical team’s continued efforts, KNG22 could not be saved.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and officials are investigating how the animal sustained the injuries.
Special Task Force formed to investigate
The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a Special Task Force (STF), comprising forest and police officers, to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.
The development was announced by Dr Sameeta Rajora, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh, in a statement dated 27 October.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances that led to the cheetah’s injuries and identify those responsible, if any wrongdoing is confirmed.
India’s cheetah population now stands at 58
The death of KNG22 has brought India’s total cheetah population to 58, according to the official statement.
Of these, 52 cheetahs are currently in Kuno National Park, while four are housed at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. The remaining two are at Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (VDTR).
India’s cheetah reintroduction programme began in 2022, bringing the species back to the country after decades of absence. The last recorded killing of cheetahs in India dates back to 1947, when Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Koriya, in present-day Chhattisgarh, shot the country’s last three remaining Asiatic cheetahs.