World · India Bureau
Centre launches high-level probe into death of cheetah at Kuno sanctuary
The federal government has dispatched a senior investigation team to examine the pellet-gun killing of a 19-month-old cheetah at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. The incident has prompted authorities to undertake a comprehensive review of security protocols for the reintroduced cheetah population.
LSN India ·
A central government team has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a young cheetah at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, following the animal's fatal shooting with pellets. The 19-month-old feline, part of India's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, was killed in what officials have characterised as a significant setback for the conservation initiative.
The incident has sparked immediate concern among wildlife authorities regarding the safety and protection of the recently reintroduced cheetah population at the sanctuary. Officials have indicated that the investigation will focus on determining how the animal came to be shot and identifying any lapses in the facility's security infrastructure.
Beyond the immediate inquiry, the Centre has announced a comprehensive reassessment of all security measures currently in place at Kuno to safeguard the reintroduced cheetahs. This review is expected to address gaps in surveillance, perimeter fencing, and protocols for protecting the endangered cats from external threats.
The reintroduction of cheetahs to Indian soil marked a landmark conservation effort after the species was declared extinct in the country in the 1950s. Any loss of these animals represents a significant challenge to the programme's long-term success and has intensified scrutiny of management practices at the sanctuary.