Tragedy Strikes Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India
A promising moment for India's cheetah reintroduction project has been overshadowed by the death of a 10-month-old cheetah cub at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The cub was found dead on Friday afternoon, less than a day after a celebratory release event.
Details of the Incident
The cub, along with its mother Veera and sibling, had been released into the Parond range on December 4th. According to officials, the cub appears to have become separated from its mother and sibling during the night.
The release was celebrated as a "historic" moment during an International Cheetah Day event led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Veera, who arrived from South Africa earlier in 2024, gave birth to the two cubs in February 2025. Their release was considered a significant step forward in conservation efforts, increasing the number of free-ranging cheetahs at Kuno.
Search and Discovery
Concerns arose when trackers lost the signal from the cub's radio collar on Thursday night. A field official stated, "We lost the signal after dark. When telemetry picked up movement again Friday, the animal was already dead." The cub's body was recovered without any visible injuries.
Investigation Underway
"The exact cause of death will be known only after the autopsy is conducted," said Shubranjan Sen, the state's chief wildlife warden. He also confirmed that Veera and her remaining cub are together and appear to be doing well.
Ongoing Monitoring
Officials have assured that a dedicated team of wildlife veterinarians, radio-tracking experts, and field staff are maintaining constant surveillance of the released cheetahs.
Key points:
- A 10-month-old cheetah cub was found dead in Kuno National Park.
- The cub had been released with its mother and sibling on December 4th.
- The cause of death is currently unknown and under investigation.
- Veera and her remaining cub are being closely monitored.
