MP: Namibian Cheetah 'Pawan' Dies At Kuno National Park—Second Fatality In Under A Month

A Namibian cheetah named Pawan died at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The cause of its death is yet to be ascertained. Preliminary cause suggests it died due to drowning.

Another Namibian cheetah, Pawan passed away in the wild at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, weeks after the death of a five-month-old cub on August 5. Sharing about the second cheetah death in less than a month, the Additional Principal Chief Conservation of Forest (APCCF) and Director of Lion Project, Uttam Sharma, released a statement that said Pawan was found lying on the edge of a swollen nullah amidst the bushes without any movement at around 10:30 AM on August 27. With Pawan's demise, a total of 13 cheetahs have died since the launch of Project Cheetah in September 2022.

The statement noted that the preliminary cause of death seemed to be drowning as the male Cheetah’s front half of the body, including the head, was found inside the nullah when the veterinarians inspected it closely. The nullah was running full due to rain. The veterinarians also confirmed that no visible external injuries were found anywhere on the cheetah’s body. "The preliminary cause of death seems to be drowning. Further details will be provided after the postmortem report is received," the official statement noted.

Before being released into the wild, the male cheetah, previously called Oban, was kept in an acclimatisation enclosure after he had strayed out on two occasions. It was finally released into the Kuno National Park’s free-ranging area, where he could roam freely, TOI reported.

5-Month-Old Cub Dies In Kuno National Park

In another tragic loss for the Kuno cheetahs flown in from Africa as part of India’s cheetah induction programme, a five-month-old cub born to a cheetah named Gamini died in the national park on August 5. Gamini had given birth to six cubs in March. In June, it had lost its first cub. As per a press release by the APCFF, the cub on July 29 evening, was unable to lift its hind portion.

Upon further observation, the cub was seen dragging its entire hind portion. The cub was rescued immediately and admitted to a hospital for further examination. The veterinarians found out that the cub had suffered a vertebral column fracture. After being treated, the cub was kept under observation and intensive supervision. However, its health deteriorated on the morning of August 5, following which it passed away. Acting Prinicpal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Subharanjan Sen told The Indian Express that the cub probably sustained an injury while playing with other cubs.

As part of 'Project Cheetah', eight Namibian cheetahs – five females and three males – were released into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in September 2022. Thereafter, in February 2023, an additional 12 cheetahs were flown in from South Africa. The project is aimed at re-introducing cheetahs to India's ecosystem as they had become extinct in the country after independence. 

With the death of Pawan, Kuno National Park is left with 24 cheetahs, including 12 adults and 12 cubs.