The recent death of cheetah Shaurya has put adverse effect on plan to bring the third batch of cheetahs from African countries. Authorities have put temporary halt on the translocation of cheetahs. As all the cheetahs were doing well for past five months, authorities had started flexing muscles to bring the third batch of cheetahs from African countries. Post-mortem of the cheetah was done and sample were sent to the Jabalpur laboratory for further testing. It took around three hours to conduct the autopsy of cheetah. Officials said that autopsy suggested that the cheetah has died of heart attack. Monitoring team has found the cheetah unconscious in enclosure and then a three-member team transqualised the cat to start treatment. However, in the afternoon cheetah died.

 

KNP Field Director Uttam Sharma said, “Reason for Shaurya’s death is yet to be find out but autopsy suggested that he has died of heart attack. Sample has been sent to the lab for further treatment.” He further said that plan to bring more cheetahs from has been postponed for few days as officials want to see the status of Kuno cheetah. Officials said that there was no marks or wound found on the body and even the cat was not ill. DFO R Thirukural said that Gaurav and other cheetahs are well. Till now, ten cheetahs, including three cubs, have died. Sources said that, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being prepared for the cheetahs. The sanctuary is in its final stage to welcome the next batch from African countries. However, the death of cheetahs has put a halt on proposal to bring more. Experts have also suggested to see the mortality rate for a few months and then plan to bring more cats. Out of 20 cheetahs introduced to Sheopur, seven have died of various reasons.

 

Out of seven cubs delivered by two cheetahs, three cubs have died. Cheetah Shaurya, who died on January 16, was the tenth cheetah. A few days back, cheetah Shaurya and Gaurav fought with Agni and Vayu. After death of Shaurya, cheetah Gaurav is feeling lonely. The park officials said that both cheetahs always stayed together even in the enclosure. They use to kill the prey jointly. Tenth casualty of cheetah is a major setback to the ambitious cheetah project of Government. Cheetah project was launched in India on September 17, 2022, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with release of eight Namibian cheetah in Sheopur.