Four cheetah cubs, born to female cheetah KGP-12 at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur, were discovered dead, suspected to have been killed by a wild predator. The cubs, just about a month old, were found near the den site during routine tracking by a monitoring team in the Sheopur forest area. The sudden deaths were confirmed by the Cheetah Field Director at Kuno.
The bodies of the cubs were partially eaten, indicating a possible attack by a carnivorous animal, as per an official statement from the Field Director of Project Cheetah. Post-mortem reports are awaited to determine the exact cause of death. Despite the tragic loss of the cubs, the mother, KGP-12, is safe and healthy, closely monitored by forest staff.
Following the incident, surveillance and patrolling have been intensified in the area, with increased vigilance around other cheetahs and cubs in the park. Protecting newborn cubs in the open forest, especially from threats posed by leopards, hyenas, and jackals, remains a significant challenge for the project. The recent deaths occurred a day after the release of two female cheetahs into the wild at Kuno by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Kuno National Park, now with a cheetah population of 50, including 33 born in India through the breeding program, faces the loss of four cubs. Additionally, three cheetahs are located at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, bringing India’s total cheetah count to 53. Project Cheetah, initiated in September 2022 after the extinction of cheetahs in India in 1952, has made progress with several litters at Kuno following the introduction of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.
