With two cheetahs from Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, now roaming in open areas, there have been sightings near roads and residential zones. To ensure safety, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mr. R. Thirukkural (2018-batch IFS officer) of Kuno Wildlife Division has issued a detailed advisory for villages in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Key Guidelines:
- Contact Authorities Immediately: If a cheetah is spotted, inform the nearest forest department or the designated “cheetah friend” in your area.
- Give Safe Passage: Allow the cheetah to move away naturally. Do not provoke or crowd around it.
- Protect Children and Livestock: Keep young children and cattle indoors. If a cheetah approaches livestock, drive it away by making loud noises.
- Avoid Aggressive Actions: Do not try to scare or harm the cheetah with sticks or traps, as this may lead to aggressive behavior.
- Stay Cautious: Avoid venturing into forests alone or staying in fields at night.
Important Notes:
- If a cheetah kills livestock, compensation is available. Contact the nearest forest officer for assistance.
- Do not attempt to take photos or videos of the cheetah or retaliate if livestock is harmed.
Monitoring Efforts:
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is actively tracking the cheetahs’ movements with a dedicated team. Sightings and concerns can be reported to the following numbers:
- DFO, Kuno Forest Division: +91 7803947600
- SDO, Kuno South Pohri: +91 9953122156
- SDO, Kuno North Vijaypur: +91 8839364852
These advisory aims to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife as these cheetahs adapt to their new environment.
