Namibian cheetah dies in M.P.'s Kuno National Park during treatment

Image used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: PTI Namibian cheetah Gaurav died in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park on Monday (September 21, 2026) evening while undergoing treatment, an official said.Ten-year-old Gaurav was rescued from the wild on September 12 after he was observed to be weak and dull.“On examination, he was found to be markedly weak, with visible muscle wasting and severe dehydration. Immediate systemic and supportive treatment was provided, following which he was shifted to Palpur and kept in a Quarantine Boma (QB) for close observation and further management,” said the field director of the cheetah project.The director said based on the preliminary clinical examination, an underlying chronic condition was suspected.“Despite continued treatment and supportive care, his condition deteriorated, and he died at around 4 p.m. on Monday (September 21),” he said, adding that the exact cause of death will be ascertained after post-mortem examination and analysis of the samples collected.With this, Kuno National Park now has 51 cheetahs, including 36 Indian-born cheetahs, the director said.Out of the 51, 16 cheetahs are currently ranging freely in the wild. With four cheetahs in the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, the total cheetah population in India now stands at 55, the official added. Published - September 21, 2026 09:30 pm IST