Gunshot Pellets Kill Young Cheetah: Centre Orders High-Level Probe
A high-level central team investigates the death of a 19-month-old cheetah found with firearm pellets in Madhya Pradesh.
The Union Government has launched a high-level central investigation following the shocking death of a 19-month-old male cheetah at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The animal, identified as KNG22, died after sustaining severe injuries caused by firearm pellets, sparking immediate concern over the safety of the reintroduced big cats under Project Cheetah.
A Tragic Discovery in Morena
The tragedy unfolded on October 25, 2026, when the young cheetah—the offspring of Cheetah Nirva—was found injured in the territorial forests of Morena. Notably, the animal was located outside the protected boundaries of Kuno National Park.
Acting swiftly, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department rescued the cheetah from the Sheopur Territorial Forest Division on the same day. It was rushed to a veterinary facility in Jabalpur, where medical teams performed emergency surgery and provided intensive care in a desperate bid to save the animal.
The Fatal Evidence
The gravity of the situation became clear during the surgical procedure. Veterinarians recovered five firearm pellets from the cheetah's body. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the animal succumbed to its injuries on October 27, 2026.
Subsequent medical examinations confirmed that the cause of death was linked to multiple internal injuries resulting from the recovered pellets, confirming that the animal had been shot.
Central Intervention and Investigation
Viewing the incident with "utmost gravity," the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has deployed a specialized team to conduct an on-ground investigation. The central team consists of high-ranking officials, including:
- The Inspector General of Forests, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- The Additional Director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
- The Regional Deputy Director, WCCB
This team has been mandated to examine all available evidence and investigate the exact circumstances that led to the cheetah's death. They will work in close coordination with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department to ensure that those responsible face strict and swift action.
Security Protocols Under Scrutiny
While the State Government had already established a Special Task Force (STF) comprising police and forest officers, the central probe aims to look deeper into the systemic failures. The deputed team will specifically examine:
- The implementation of existing security protocols.
- The effectiveness of monitoring and protection measures.
- Necessary improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The findings and recommendations of this high-level team will be submitted to the Ministry, which will then issue further directions to the field authorities and the State Government to safeguard the remaining cheetah population.