Kuno National Park: Forest Officials Suspended and Two Arrested Following Cheetah Cub Death

Incident Summary

A 19-month-old male cheetah cub, identified as KNG22, has died following a gunshot injury sustained within the Kuno region. This incident has raised concerns regarding the security measures for the ambitious 'Project Cheetah' in India. Following the investigation, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has suspended six personnel, while local police have arrested two individuals in connection with the poaching attempt.

Investigation and Administrative Action

On October 25, the cub was discovered severely injured in Compartment 748 of the Sheopur Territorial Forest Division. Medical examinations at the Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University in Jabalpur revealed severe internal trauma. Surgeons successfully extracted five pellets from the cub's body, but despite emergency medical intervention, the cub succumbed to its injuries on the morning of October 27.

• Personnel Suspended: Two Rangers, one Deputy Ranger, and three Forest Guards stationed across Sheopur and Morena districts.
• Arrests: Morena police have apprehended two suspects and seized weapons, which are currently under forensic analysis.
• Government Response: A special team from the central government has been dispatched to assist with the inquiry, while the state government has established a Special Task Force (STF) comprising police and forest officials.

Wildlife Conservation Status

Following this death, the total count of cheetahs in India stands at 58. Currently, 52 cheetahs are located at Kuno National Park, four in Gandhi Sagar, and two in the Veerangana Durgavati Reserve. Wildlife activists have called for further administrative accountability and a CBI investigation into security lapses.

Official updates regarding the case progress are expected through the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department's public communications office.