Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh— An eight-year-old female cheetah named Nabha, translocated from Namibia as part of India’s historic Cheetah Reintroduction Project, has died due to injuries likely sustained during a hunting attempt, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Nabha had been receiving medical treatment for a week but succumbed to her injuries on 12 July. The Cheetah Project Field Director, Uttam Sharma, said the cheetah had suffered fractures in both her ulna and fibula on the left side, along with other internal injuries. The incident likely occurred inside her soft-release enclosure during a hunting attempt.
“Despite ongoing treatment, she could not be saved,” Sharma said in a statement, adding that a post-mortem examination would determine the exact cause of death.
Read Also: 5 Cheetahs from Kuno Sanctuary Roam into Shivpuri Villages, Hunt Sheep, Draw Attention
Cheetah Population at Kuno Now 26
With Nabha’s death, the number of cheetahs at Kuno National Park has decreased from 27 to 26. This includes:
- 9 adult cheetahs (6 females and 3 males)
- 17 cubs born in the park since the reintroduction began
All remaining cheetahs are reported to be in good health. Additionally, two male cheetahs recently relocated to the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary are also healthy and adapting well.
16 Cheetahs Roaming Free in the Wild
Among the 26 cheetahs at Kuno, 16 have been released into the wild. According to Sharma, they have adapted to the Indian habitat, are coexisting with native predators, and are actively hunting, marking a positive step in the rewilding effort.
Health Monitoring and New Cubs Thriving
To safeguard the cheetahs’ health, officials recently completed a round of anti-ecto-parasitic treatment. Two female cheetahs—Veera and Nirva—have given birth within the park and are currently thriving alongside their newborn cubs, Sharma confirmed.
Read Also: Cheetah Gamini and Her Four Cubs Released into the Wild at Kuno National Park
Project Under Scrutiny Despite Progress
The Cheetah Reintroduction Project, launched in 2022, marked the return of the species to India after more than 70 years of extinction in the wild. However, it has faced challenges, including multiple cheetah deaths, concerns over habitat capacity, and calls for better management and expanded protected areas.
Nabha’s death adds to the growing scrutiny of the project, but wildlife officials maintain that the overall progress—especially in terms of adaptation, reproduction, and survival—remains promising.
