Five firearm pellets recovered during surgery; CT scan reveals damage to internal organs and nervous system as authorities launch investigation.
A 19-month-old male cheetah cub has died after sustaining multiple firearm pellet injuries in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena forest division, in what is being described as the first reported killing of a cheetah in India since the species’ reintroduction in 2022.
The cub, identified as KNG22, was found critically injured and rescued from Compartment No. 748 of the forest division. Despite emergency surgery and intensive treatment by veterinary specialists, the animal died early Tuesday.
According to an official statement issued on October 27 by Madhya Pradesh’s forest department, five firearm pellets were recovered from the cheetah’s body during surgery.
CT Scan Reveals Extensive Internal Injuries
An initial X-ray examination revealed multiple foreign bodies lodged at different locations inside the cub’s body. Following preliminary treatment and consultations with experts, the animal was shifted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU) in Jabalpur for advanced investigation and intensive care.
A subsequent CT scan revealed that the foreign bodies had caused damage to the animal’s internal organs, musculoskeletal system and nervous system.
Veterinary specialists conducted emergency surgery to remove the pellets. However, despite their efforts, the young cheetah could not be saved.
Special Task Force Constituted to Investigate
The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a Special Task Force (STF) comprising forest and police officers to investigate the incident.
The development was announced by Dr Sameeta Rajora, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh, in an official statement dated October 27.
The STF will investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and attempt to establish how the cheetah sustained the injuries. The identity of those responsible and the motive behind the incident have not yet been established in the information provided.
India’s Cheetah Population Reportedly Stands at 58
Following the death of KNG22, India’s total cheetah population stands at 58, according to the forest department statement.
The reported distribution is as follows:
- Kuno National Park: 52 cheetahs
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary: 4 cheetahs
- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve: 2 cheetahs
India launched its cheetah reintroduction programme in 2022, bringing African cheetahs to the country as part of an effort to re-establish a population of the species, which had become extinct in India.
The death of KNG22 has raised concerns about the safety of the reintroduced cheetahs and the challenges involved in protecting them beyond their immediate habitats.
Cheetahs Were Declared Extinct in India in 1952
The cheetah was officially declared extinct in India in 1952. The last widely cited confirmed record of cheetahs in the country dates to 1947, when Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Koriya, in present-day Chhattisgarh, reportedly shot three cheetahs.
The reintroduction programme began in September 2022 with the arrival of cheetahs from Namibia, followed by additional animals from South Africa.
The latest incident has brought renewed attention to wildlife protection and the need to prevent illegal hunting and other threats to the animals.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to examine the evidence recovered from the cub and other available information to determine the circumstances behind the shooting.
The forest department’s investigation will be crucial in establishing responsibility for the incident and determining what measures may be required to strengthen the protection of India’s reintroduced cheetah population.