Centre springs into action; high-level team formed to probe cheetah’s death due to firearm pellet injuries

BHOPAL: Following the death of a 19-month-old male cheetah, identified as KNG22, from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the Central government has deputed a high-level team to investigate the incident. The cheetah died on Tuesday after sustaining injuries caused by firearm pellets.

In a statement, the Union government said the team would conduct an on-ground investigation, “given the critical importance of Project Cheetah and the need to ensure the highest standards of protection for the reintroduced population of the Big Cat”.

The cheetah was found injured in the territorial forests of Morena district, outside the protected area of Kuno National Park, on Sunday, October 25. The state forest department rescued the animal the same day and shifted it to a veterinary facility in Jabalpur for treatment. Despite intensive veterinary care and emergency surgery, the cheetah succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday. Five firearm pellets were recovered from its body during surgery, while medical examinations revealed multiple internal injuries associated with the pellets.

The Central team comprises the Inspector General of Forests from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Additional Director of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), and the WCCB’s Regional Deputy Director.

“The team has been tasked with undertaking a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the Cheetah, examining all available evidence and coordinating closely with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department to ensure strict and swift action in the matter,” the government said.

The state government has also constituted a Special Task Force (STF), comprising forest and police officials, to investigate the incident. The Central team, deputed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), will work in coordination with the state authorities.

It will also examine the implementation of security protocols and the monitoring and protection measures in place to prevent similar incidents in the future. The team will submit its findings and recommendations to the Ministry, which will issue further directions to the state government and field authorities.

KNG22 was an offspring of cheetah Nirva. The incident has raised concerns over the safety of the reintroduced cheetah population, particularly as the animal was found injured outside the protected area of Kuno National Park.

Since the launch of Project Cheetah in 2022, this is the first reported death of a cheetah in India attributed to firearm pellet injuries.