India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction project at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has suffered another significant blow. Nabha, an eight-year-old female cheetah brought from Namibia, died on Saturday due to severe injuries. According to the Forest Department, Nabha was injured a week ago while attempting to hunt in her soft release boma and could not be saved despite treatment.

 

Fractured Bones, Multiple Injuries Sustained During Hunt: Uttam Sharma, Regional Director of the Kuno Project, stated that Nabha sustained fractures to the ulna and fibula bones in her left leg, along with several other injuries. It is suspected that these injuries occurred during a high-speed chase or impact while hunting. Nabha had been under special monitoring and receiving treatment for the past week, but her condition did not improve, and she eventually succumbed. The exact cause of death will be determined by the post-mortem report, which is currently awaited. Kuno Now Home to 26 Cheetahs, 16 Active in Wild:

 

Following Nabha’s demise, Kuno National Park now has 26 cheetahs remaining, including 9 adults (6 females, 3 males) and 17 India-born cubs. Officials report that the remaining cheetahs are healthy and adapting well to the park’s environment. Of these, 16 cheetahs are roaming freely in the wild and regularly hunting. All cheetahs recently received anti-ecto-parasitic medication, which is essential for their health. Two female cheetahs, Veera and Nirva, are healthy with their newborn cubs. Cheetahs were reintroduced to India after 70 years for regeneration purposes, with 8 cheetahs brought from Namibia on September 17, 2022, and 12 from South Africa on February 18, 2023, to Kuno National Park.