📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Charles J. Sharp
Crime
19-Month-Old Male Cheetah Dies After Injured in Kuno, Shooting Suspected
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 27 Oct 2026, 06:31 PM
👁 10
A 19‑month‑old male cheetah cub found injured in Muraina forest died during treatment at Kuno, with officials suspecting it may have been shot.
The forest department confirmed that a 19‑month‑old male cheetah cub, the offspring of a resident female named Nirbhaya, died on Tuesday while receiving medical care at Kuno National Park. The cub had been brought to the park's wildlife clinic after being found injured in the nearby Muraina forest.
According to the initial report, the young cheetah was discovered on 25 October with visible wounds that raised concerns about a possible gunshot injury. Veterinarians attempted emergency treatment, but the animal succumbed to its injuries despite intensive care.
While wildlife officials have not officially verified the cause, they have indicated that the nature of the wounds suggests a bullet may have struck the animal. The forest department has refrained from confirming the shooting, pending a forensic examination.
The loss underscores the ongoing threats faced by cheetahs reintroduced to central India, where poaching and illegal hunting remain critical challenges for conservationists.
According to the initial report, the young cheetah was discovered on 25 October with visible wounds that raised concerns about a possible gunshot injury. Veterinarians attempted emergency treatment, but the animal succumbed to its injuries despite intensive care.
While wildlife officials have not officially verified the cause, they have indicated that the nature of the wounds suggests a bullet may have struck the animal. The forest department has refrained from confirming the shooting, pending a forensic examination.
The loss underscores the ongoing threats faced by cheetahs reintroduced to central India, where poaching and illegal hunting remain critical challenges for conservationists.