Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh: A tense situation unfolded in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh, when villagers tried to attack a female cheetah named Jwala and her four cubs. The incident occurred outside the protected boundaries of Kuno National Park, where the cheetahs had ventured after spotting a herd of calves.
Driven by hunger, the cheetah family targeted one of the calves, but as they attempted to make a hunt, a crowd of villagers quickly gathered, armed with stones and sticks. The villagers tried to scare the cheetahs away, prompting a tense standoff. Fortunately, the forest officials and tracking team who were already monitoring the situation were able to intervene, preventing any harm to Jwala and her cubs and controlling the crowd.
A video capturing the incident, showing villagers throwing stones at the cheetahs, has gone viral on social media, raising concerns about the challenges of protecting wildlife beyond the boundaries of protected areas.
The cheetah family, which includes Jwala, a female cheetah from Namibia, and her four cubs, was released into the wild in February as part of a project to reintroduce cheetahs to India. Since their release, the total number of cheetahs in Kuno National Park has risen to 26. The cheetahs’ movement outside the park’s protection area highlights their natural curiosity and desire to explore their surroundings.
Cheetah's in Kuno National Park are in Pathetic day to day situations! pic.twitter.com/sadM4QoRhM
— Forests And Wildlife Protection Society-FAWPS 🇮🇳 (@FawpsIndia) March 25, 2025
According to reports, the cheetahs were near the Sheopur-Gwalior railway line when they came across the calves. Forest officials explained that the cheetahs are not dangerous to humans, and efforts are being made to raise awareness among the local communities.
1999 batch IFS officer Uttam Sharma, Director of the Lion Project, stated, “Continued efforts are being made to raise awareness about cheetahs. Cheetahs remain unbothered by the presence of humans, and people will gradually adapt to living alongside them.”
While the cheetahs quickly retreated into the forest after the disturbance, this incident underscores the ongoing challenges of wildlife conservation near human settlements. Despite the remarkable progress of the cheetah reintroduction project, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the local communities remains a critical issue.
Authorities are now focusing on increasing awareness about the cheetah project and educating villagers on how to coexist peacefully with these majestic animals. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance needed to protect wildlife while managing the needs of local populations.
मध्यप्रदेश के
— ajay dubey (@Ajaydubey9) March 24, 2025
कूनो नेशनल पार्क में चीते खतरे में
सड़क पर ग्रामीणों की भीड़ में
वन विभाग की निगरानी टीम गायब#Cheetah #kuno @ntca_india @PMOIndia @DrMohanYadav51 @moefcc @CMMadhyaPradesh @byadavbjp pic.twitter.com/IUkB2yxHB6
