Morena: A decision by five Cheetahs to take a stroll to the Pagara Dam from the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has caused panic among villagers. The animals are now in the Joura area near Pagara Dam, about 150 km from Kuno.
People out for their morning walks on Sunday were the first to spot the Cheetahs crossing a road. While some fled in flight, others shot videos on their mobile phones.
Deputy Ranger Vinod Kumar Upadhyay said that the Cheetahs came from Kailaras and were found resting near the Pagara Dam area. As soon as the forest department got their location, a team rushed to the spot. The Cheetahs are currently resting on higher ground near villages like Kothi and Jogi Devgarh.
Four trained Cheetah Mitras (Cheetah caretakers) are also present with them, and forest officials are keeping a close watch from a safe distance. The forest department has cordoned off the area and is monitoring the situation.
All the animals have tracking collars, which allows experts to monitor their movements continuously. So far, they have not harmed anyone, officials said.
Experts say it is not unusual for Cheetahs to move out of the national park occasionally, but five of them doing so at once is a matter of concern. This has raised questions about the safety measures and monitoring inside the park.
There is fear among villagers who are now spending more time indoors, moving in groups if they have to, while leaving their children inside.
The forest department has urged villagers to remain alert, avoid going to fields alone, stop children from playing outside, and report any sightings of the Cheetahs to officials immediately.
