Tragedy for Project Cheetah: 19-Month-Old Cheetah KNG22 Dies After Gunshot Attack
A 19-month-old male cheetah, KNG22, has died after five firearm pellets were found in its body. MP government orders STF probe into the incident.
In a devastating blow to the ambitious Project Cheetah, a 19-month-old male cheetah, identified as KNG22, has died after succumbing to severe internal injuries caused by gunfire. The young big cat passed away early Wednesday morning, despite intensive medical efforts to save its life.
A Desperate Battle for Survival
The tragedy unfolded after KNG22 was rescued on October 25, 2026, from Compartment No. 748 of the Sheopur Territorial Forest Division. The cheetah was found in a critical state, prompting an immediate rescue operation and a rush to medical facilities.
Upon arrival, forest officials and veterinary doctors conducted a series of diagnostic tests. An initial X-ray indicated the presence of multiple foreign objects within the animal's body. To get a clearer picture of the damage, a CT scan was performed, which revealed a grim reality: the foreign bodies had caused extensive damage to the cheetah's nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and vital internal organs.
Surgery and Fatal Findings
In a bid to save the feline, doctors performed emergency surgery. During the procedure, the medical team recovered five firearm pellets embedded deep within the cheetah's body, confirming that the animal had been shot.
"KNG22, a 19-month-old male cheetah, who was rescued on 25 October 2026 after being found injured in Compartment No. 748 of the Sheopur Territorial Forest Division, died early this morning," stated the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh.
State Government Orders High-Level Probe
The discovery of firearm pellets has turned the medical emergency into a criminal investigation. Suspecting a case of poaching or a deliberate shooting, the Madhya Pradesh government has taken immediate action to find the culprits.
A Special Task Force (STF), consisting of both Police and Forest officers, has been constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident. The probe aims to determine how the cheetah was targeted and who is responsible for the attack.
Another Cub Injured in Morena
Adding to the concerns over the safety of the cheetahs, another incident has come to light involving a 19-month-old male cheetah cub. The cub, the offspring of a female cheetah named Nirva, was found injured in a forest area under the Morena territorial forest division.
The monitoring team received information about the injured cub on the evening of October 25. Following a swift rescue operation that night, the cub was transported to Kuno National Park for medical treatment, where it currently remains under care.
The Forest Department has launched a separate investigation to establish the exact circumstances under which this second cub sustained its injuries. While officials are examining all possible angles, the specific cause of the injuries for this cub has not yet been determined.