Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh): In a major setback to India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, four one-month-old cheetah cubs were found dead in Kuno National Park in MP‘s Sheopur on Tuesday morning. Officials said the carcasses were partially eaten, and initial findings suggest possible predation by another wild animal.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the survival of young cheetahs in the wild, even as the reintroduction programme had recently shown signs of stabilisation and population growth.
Cubs Found Near Den Site in Early Morning Check
According to forest officials, the cubs were discovered around 6:30 am on May 12, 2026, during a routine monitoring patrol near the den site in the Sheopur territorial division adjoining Kuno National Park.
The cubs belonged to female cheetah KGP12 and were born on April 11, 2026.
Officials said the cubs were last seen alive on the evening of May 11, 2026, indicating that the deaths occurred overnight.
Predation Suspected, Mother Cheetah Safe
Preliminary assessment suggests that the cubs may have been killed by a predator, though the exact cause will be confirmed after post-mortem examination.
A senior wildlife official said the mother cheetah is safe and in stable condition. Monitoring teams are continuing surveillance in the area to assess further risks to other cubs and adult cheetahs.
Official Statement from Cheetah Project Field Director
In an official press note, the Field Director of the Cheetah Project stated:
The four cubs of female cheetah KGP12, born in the wild on April 11, 2026, were found dead around 6:30 am on May 12, 2026. The bodies were partially eaten. The cubs were last seen alive on May 11 evening. Prima facie, the incident appears to be predation by another animal. The mother cheetah is safe and healthy. Further details will be known after post-mortem examination and detailed investigation.
Setback Amid Signs of Stabilisation
The deaths come at a sensitive time for India’s cheetah reintroduction effort under Project Cheetah, which had recently reported improved survival rates, increased births, and expansion of cheetah movement outside enclosures.
Just days earlier, the park had highlighted its progress through a special Mother’s Day film showcasing cheetah mothers and cubs, celebrating what officials described as a “growing population success story.”
Current Cheetah Population in India
Despite the setback, officials confirmed that the overall population remains stable:
- Total cheetahs in India: 53
- Kuno National Park: 50 cheetahs (including 33 Indian-born)
- Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary: 3 cheetahs
All remaining cheetahs are reported to be healthy and under continuous monitoring.
Growing Cheetah Population Still Expanding
India began its cheetah translocation programme in September 2022 with animals brought from Namibia and later South Africa, followed by additional cheetahs from Botswana in 2026.
Officials said while mortality incidents remain a concern, the overall breeding success and establishment of free-ranging populations indicate gradual ecological adaptation.
