19-Month-Old Cheetah Dies from Gunshot Wounds in Kuno Park
A young cheetah succumbs to injuries from gunfire, raising concerns over wildlife safety in Madhya Pradesh.
A 19-month-old cheetah was found with gunshot injuries in Kuno National Park.
Veterinary examinations revealed multiple pellets in the cheetah's body.
A Special Task Force has been established to investigate the incident.
A 19-month-old male cheetah cub, named Nirva, has died from gunshot wounds sustained in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. The cub was initially rescued from the Pahargarh range in Morena and was undergoing treatment when it succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday morning. Initial reports suggested that the cheetah had been injured by sticks, but further veterinary examinations confirmed the presence of gunshot injuries.
Veterinary doctor Shibha Javre reported that scans revealed multiple metallic foreign bodies lodged in the cheetah's lumbar region, including five firearm pellets recovered during emergency surgery. Despite intensive treatment efforts, the cheetah's condition deteriorated, leading to its death. Samita Rajora, the chief wildlife warden, emphasized the severity of the injuries, which affected the cheetah's internal organs and nervous system.
In response to the incident, the Madhya Pradesh government has formed a Special Task Force (STF) comprising forest and police officials to conduct a thorough investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the cheetah may have been shot by a local villager, although the possibility of poaching is also being explored. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of cheetahs that venture outside the protected areas of Kuno National Park.
The death of the cheetah has sparked outrage among wildlife activists, with calls for a CBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Activist Ajay Dubey criticized the forest department's claims of effective protection measures for the cheetahs, highlighting the failure of monitoring efforts despite the presence of 18 monitoring teams in the area. He stressed the need for accountability, especially given the international significance of the cheetah reintroduction project in India.
As of now, the total cheetah population in India stands at 58, with 52 residing in Kuno National Park. The recent incident has underscored the challenges faced in protecting these animals and has prompted discussions on enhancing safety measures for wildlife in the region. The investigation by the STF is expected to provide further insights into the incident and its implications for wildlife management in Madhya Pradesh.
