BHOPAL: Namibian cheetah Gaurav, who was rescued from the wild after being found in a severely weakened condition, has died at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park. The 10-year-old cheetah died while undergoing treatment on Monday evening, with the Cheetah Project’s Field Director confirming that the death occurred at around 4 pm.
Gaurav was rescued from the forest on September 12 after authorities observed that he appeared weak and was moving slowly. A medical examination found significant physical weakness, along with visible muscle wasting and severe dehydration.
Following the rescue, Gaurav was provided immediate medical treatment and supportive care. He was subsequently shifted to Palpur and kept in a quarantine boma (QB) for close observation and further treatment.
According to officials, preliminary clinical examinations raised concerns that Gaurav could have been suffering from an underlying health condition that had persisted for some time. Despite continued treatment and supportive care, his condition gradually deteriorated.
Gaurav eventually died at around 4 pm on Monday.
The exact cause of death has not yet been established. Officials said a post-mortem examination will be conducted and samples collected from the cheetah will be analysed. The final cause of death will be determined after the examination and laboratory reports are received.
Gaurav’s death takes the number of cheetahs at Kuno National Park to 51, including 36 cheetahs born in India. Of the 51 cheetahs currently at Kuno, 16 are living freely in the park’s forest area, according to officials.
If the four cheetahs at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh are also included, India’s total cheetah population currently stands at 55.
Gaurav was among the Namibian cheetahs brought to India as part of Project Cheetah, aimed at establishing a viable cheetah population in the country. His death comes after a prolonged period of weakness that ultimately required his removal from the wild for intensive monitoring and treatment.
Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem and laboratory findings before drawing conclusions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
