Kuno/New Delhi: A massive investigation has been launched into the shooting of a 19-month-old Cheetah cub outside the boundaries of the Kuno National Park.
This is the first such case of killing of a Cheetah since the Centre launched its ambitious reintroduction programme for the species in September, 2022.
The Centre has set up a high-level committee for an on-ground investigation into the death, as reported by The Hindu.
The Centre has taken “serious note” of the cub’s death, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has said in a statement. The three-member probe team will closely coordinate with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and the Special Task Force constituted by the state to ensure strict and swift action in the matter, it added. The team will also review the security protocols and monitoring measures in place for the Cheetahs.
“Viewing the matter with utmost gravity, the Centre has deputed a high-level team for an on-ground investigation into the incident, given the critical importance of Project Cheetah and the need to ensure the highest standards of protection for the reintroduced population of the Big Cat,” it said.
The team comprises the Inspector General of Forests, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA); Additional Director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB); and Regional Deputy Director, WCCB.
“The Central team deputed by the MoEFCC would work in coordination with the state machinery. It would also examine the implementation of security protocols, as well as monitoring and protection measures being undertaken to avoid any such incident in future. The Central team would submit its findings and recommendations to the Ministry for further directions to the state government and field authorities,” the Ministry said.
The cub KGN22, an offspring of female cheetah Nirva, was found injured and still on the evening of October 25 in the Sheopur Territorial Forest Division, outside the protected area of Kuno National Park.
The cub was first taken to Kuno for treatment and shifted the next day to a government veterinary facility in Jabalpur for surgery, during which five firearm pallets were recovered from his body, including internal organs. The cheetah, however, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning.
“Medical examinations corroborated multiple internal injuries associated with the recovered firearm pellets,” the MoEFCC said.
Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have already formed a four-member STF with police and forest officers to probe the case while the State Tiger Strike Force is already deployed on the ground.
Top wildlife officials from the state say that it could be a case of shooting in self-defence after mistaking the animal for a leopard, but have not ruled out the possibility of a poaching attempt. All possible angles are being explored in the investigation, they added.
