Concerns Rise as Cheetah Deaths Continue in Kuno National Park: Toll Increases to 8

14-07-2023 : The recent deaths of two more cheetahs within a span of five days in Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh have dealt a severe blow to the ambitious reintroduction project. With these recent casualties, the toll of cheetah deaths has now risen to eight, including five adults and three newborn cubs. This alarming number of deaths has raised concerns about the success and viability of the project.

One of the cheetahs, Suraj, a sub-adult brought from South Africa and released in Kuno National Park in February, was found dead in the Masawani beat of the park. The initial assessment suggests that the cause of death may be the wounds found on the cheetah’s neck and back. However, the precise cause of death will only be known after a postmortem examination.

Earlier in July, another cheetah named Tejas, also from South Africa, was found dead in the park. The forest department attributed Tejas’ death to “traumatic shock,” as the cheetah weighed only 43 kilograms, significantly less than the average weight of cheetahs of that age. Tejas’ internal organs were also found to be in poor medical condition.

These cheetah deaths have cast a shadow on the ambitious inter-continental translocation project, which involved bringing cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park. Eight cheetahs were brought in from Namibia in September, and 12 cheetahs arrived from South Africa in February. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released the first batch of Namibian cheetahs with great fanfare on his birthday.

The frequent deaths of cheetahs, including newborn cubs, have raised questions about the impact of the translocation process, the conditions in Kuno National Park, and the care provided to the cheetahs. The loss of eight cheetahs in just over three months is a significant concern.

Among the casualties were three newborn cubs of the Namibian cheetah named Jwala, who died due to complications arising from low birth weight and extreme heat. Other cheetahs, including Sasha, Uday, and Daksha, also succumbed to various causes such as renal infection and injuries sustained during mating interactions.