Female cheetah KGP11 dies in MP’s Kuno:4 cubs found dead in Sheopur 25 days ago; 52 cheetahs remain in India

A 27-month-old Indian-born female cheetah, KGP11, died during treatment at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park on Saturday evening. The cheetah had been undergoing care at the Palpur veterinary centre for the past five days. With her death, the number of cheetahs in Kuno has fallen to 49, while the total count across India now stands at 52. According to Kuno National Park authorities, KGP11 was found injured on June 1 in the Pahargarh area of Morena district. After receiving information, a team of forest officials and wildlife experts rescued her and shifted her to the veterinary facility at Palpur for treatment. See these pictures… Death occurred during treatment on Saturday evening Park officials said the cheetah was under continuous medical supervision and all necessary efforts were made by expert veterinarians and field staff. However, her condition did not improve, and she died during treatment on Saturday evening. Cause of death will be known from postmortem report The management has said that a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Only after the report will the circumstances become clear. Kuno authorities also said that monitoring and health management of cheetahs are being continuously carried out, and further investigation will follow after KGP11’s death. 4 cubs were killed on May 12 On May 12, four cubs of female cheetah KGP12 had died in Kuno National Park in Sheopur. Their bodies were found near the den site, partially consumed, raising the possibility of predation by wild animals. The cubs were born on April 11, 2026, and were around one month old. 52 cheetahs remain between Kuno and Gandhisagar After KGP11’s death, Kuno National Park now has 49 cheetahs, including 32 Indian-born cheetahs. Of these, 19 are roaming freely in the wild while the rest are in enclosures. Officials said all remaining cheetahs are healthy. With three cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary added, the total number of cheetahs in India now stands at 52. Know when, how and how many cheetahs died…? 26 March 2023: Sasha’s death from kidney infection The 4-year-old female cheetah Sasha brought from Namibia died due to kidney infection. According to the forest department, on 15 August 2022 in Namibia, Sasha’s blood test showed creatinine levels above 400, confirming kidney disease existed before she was brought to India. After Sasha’s death, the number of cheetahs reduced to 19. March 27, 2023: Jwala gave birth to four cubs The next day after Sasha’s death, female cheetah Jwala gave birth to four cubs. Jwala was also brought from Namibia. With these cubs, the total cheetah count in Kuno became 23. April 23, 2023: Uday’s death from heart attack Male cheetah Uday brought from South Africa died. The short post-mortem report stated cardiac artery failure. Chief Wildlife Warden JS Chauhan said blood circulation stopped in the heart artery, causing death. After this, the number reduced to 22. May 9, 2023: Daksha’s death during mating Daksha, brought from South Africa, died during mating. According to JS Chauhan, the male cheetah was sent for mating, during which a violent interaction occurred. The male cheetah injured Daksha, causing her death. After this, 21 cheetahs remained. May 23, 2023: Death of one of Jwala’s cubs One of Jwala’s cubs died. JS Chauhan stated that this cub was living in wild conditions. On May 23, there was extreme heat in Sheopur. The temperature was 46-47 degrees Celsius. Hot winds and heat waves continued throughout the day. In such conditions, excessive heat, dehydration, and weakness could be the reasons for its death. After this, the number of cheetahs including cubs at Kuno remained 20. May 25, 2023: Death of two more cubs of Jwala After the death of the first cub, three other cubs were placed under medical supervision. Two more of these cubs died. It was reported that their health deteriorated due to high temperatures and heat waves. After this, 18 cheetahs remained in Kuno, including one cub. July 11, 2023: Death of male cheetah Tejas Cheetah Tejas had a wound on his neck, which led to the assumption that he died in a conflict between cheetahs. After this death, 17 cheetahs remained in Kuno. July 14, 2023: Death of male cheetah Suraj Cheetah Suraj also had a wound on his neck. Kuno management estimates that Suraj also died in a conflict between cheetahs. This reduced the number of cheetahs in the National Park to 16. August 2, 2023: Death of female cheetah Dhatri The body of female cheetah Dhatri was found inside the Kuno premises. Post-mortem revealed infection as the cause of death. After her death, 15 cheetahs remained. January 3, 2024: Asha gave birth to three cubs On 3 January 2024, a major update came from Kuno National Park in Sheopur. Female cheetah Asha gave birth to three cubs. With this, including 4 cubs, total cheetahs became 18. Asha was named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. January 16, 2024: Death of male cheetah Shaurya Male cheetah Shaurya, brought to Kuno National Park from Namibia on September 17, 2022, died. At that time, 17 cheetahs including 4 cubs remained there. 5 August 2024: Death of another cub of Gamini During patrol, Kuno’s forest staff spotted a cub of female cheetah Gamini dragging itself. After this, the team rescued it and started treatment. The cub was seriously injured due to a fracture in the spine. After 7 days of treatment, it died. 27 August 2024: Death of male cheetah Pavan, body found in drain A cheetah named Pavan died in Kuno National Park. The body of this cheetah brought from Namibia was found in a drain amidst bushes. The cheetah’s head and half body were submerged in water. 28 November 2024: Death of 2 cubs born to cheetah Nirva Five days after birth, 2 cubs born to cheetah Nirva died. Both bodies were found in a mutilated condition.