A 19-month-old male cheetah, KNG22, found injured in Compartment No. 748 of the Sheopur Forest Division, died during treatment early Tuesday morning. The cheetah was rescued on October 25, 2026. Treatment began after an initial X-ray revealed multiple foreign bodies in different parts of the cheetah’s body. Despite sustained efforts by the veterinary team and surgical intervention, the cheetah could not be saved. The state government has constituted a Special Task Force (STF), comprising Forest and Police officials, to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.
After initial treatment and expert consultation, the injured cheetah was shifted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur, for further investigation and intensive treatment. A CT scan revealed multiple foreign bodies inside its body, which had damaged its internal organs, musculoskeletal system and nervous system. During emergency surgery, five firearm pellets were recovered from its body.
Following the death of KNG22, India’s cheetah population stands at 58, including 52 in Kuno National Park, four in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and two in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
