A 19-month-old male cub of cheetah Nirva, which was found injured in Morena, died of gunshot injuries on Tuesday, said an official.
The cub was first rescued from Pahargarh range in Morena and brought to Kuno National Park, where it died during treatment. While initial reports suggested the cheetah was injured in its back after being hit by sticks, veterinary examination confirmed gunshot injuries.
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Veterinary doctor Shibha Javre said, "The scan revealed multiple metallic foreign bodies in the body of the lumbar vertebra (L1), in the region between the first lumbar (L1) and thirteenth thoracic (T13) vertebrae and ventral to the T13 vertebra. Two metallic foreign bodies were also detected in the subcutaneous tissues near the left shoulder region, and another was located within the parenchyma of the right lung. Emergency surgery was performed, during which five firearm pellets were recovered from his body. The cheetah succumbed to injuries on Tuesday morning."
The state government has constituted a Special Task Force (STF) comprising forest and police officers to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.
"Following expert consultation, he was shifted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, NDVSU, Jabalpur, for detailed investigation and intensive treatment. A subsequent CT scan revealed multiple foreign bodies causing damage to his internal organs, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system. Despite surgical intervention and sustained efforts by the veterinary team, the male cheetah could not be saved," said Samita Rajora, chief wildlife warden.
{{/usCountry}}"Following expert consultation, he was shifted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, NDVSU, Jabalpur, for detailed investigation and intensive treatment. A subsequent CT scan revealed multiple foreign bodies causing damage to his internal organs, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system. Despite surgical intervention and sustained efforts by the veterinary team, the male cheetah could not be saved," said Samita Rajora, chief wildlife warden.
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Cheetah population in India
With this, the total cheetah population in India stands at 58, comprising 52 cheetahs in Kuno National Park, four in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and two in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (VDTR).
Prima facie, a cheetah was shot by a villager, but they have not ruled out the possibility of a poacher.
Two calves killed
A local forest official, who is not authorised to talk to the media, said on Sunday that two cheetahs, including Nirva's cub, entered a house on the outskirts of Bamori village in Morena and killed two calves tethered in the courtyard. “The cries of the calves woke up Somlavir Singh and his wife, who were sleeping in a makeshift shelter nearby. They raised an alarm and alerted other villagers. Later in the day, the cub was found injured in the forest area of Pahargarh range. The cheetah might have been shot by a villager, but the probe is ongoing," he added.
The incident has raised serious questions over the safety of cheetahs that stray outside Kuno National Park.
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Wildlife activist demands CBI probe
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey has demanded a CBI probe into the incident, stating that the forest department's claims of modern protection arrangements for cheetahs stand exposed.
"It is a serious issue that despite monitoring by 18 teams, a cheetah was shot and left injured. It happened just three months after a poaching gang of leopards was caught in the area. CBI should probe the matter as it involves an international wildlife project," he added.