First Fatal Shooting of Reintroduced Cheetah Highlights Security Gaps

On October 25, 2026 a 19-month-old male cheetah cub, KNG22, was found critically injured near Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Veterinary teams rescued the animal and transferred it to Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU) in Jabalpur. A CT scan showed five firearm pellets in the lungs, spine and abdomen. Despite emergency surgery, the cub died on the morning of October 27, 2026.

Project Cheetah: First Gunshot Death - What The Killing Of Cub KNG22 Reveals The HinduCentre orders high-level probe into cheetah's death from firearm pellet injuries in Kuno In first such killing in India, Kuno cheetah cub shot dead, pellets recovered Deccan Chronicle79 years after last recorded kill, pellets fell on Kuno’s KNG22; suspected shooting revives a tragic chapter in the country’s cheetah history

Project Cheetah, launched on September 17, 2022, aims to re-establish a viable cheetah population in India after the species’ 1952 extinction. Translocations from Namibia, South Africa and Botswana have brought the total to 58 individuals.

Deccan Chronicle

• Total cheetahs in India: 58 (52 in Kuno, 4 in Gandhi Sagar, 2 in Veerangana Durgavati).

New Indian Express

• Since 2022, 26 cheetahs have died, mostly from disease or accidents. KNG22’s death is the first confirmed shooting.

Project Cheetah: First Gunshot Death - What The Killing Of Cub KNG22 Reveals

The Madhya Pradesh government formed a four-member Special Task Force (STF) on October 27. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced a three-member central team on October 28 to conduct a security audit, review monitoring protocols and assess illegal firearm presence.

The Hindu

Veterinarians at NDVSU reported extensive internal damage from the pellets. Monitoring records show the cub was stationary in compartment 748 on the evening of October 25 and again at noon the next day, prompting rescue. The animal was moved to Jabalpur at 11:50 pm on October 26 and died at 5:10 am on October 27.

The Hindu

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said the incident shows a failure to protect reintroduced cheetahs. Opposition leader Umang Singhar criticized the state for focusing on releases while neglecting safety, calling for a CBI probe.

New Indian Express

• Location of injury: Some statements cite the Sheopur forest division, others the Morena division.

Deccan Chronicle

• Number of pellets: Early reports mentioned “three or four”; forensic analysis confirmed five.

The Hindu

• Cause of shooting: Authorities have not ruled out accidental fire, poaching or misidentification.

Kuno cheetah cub dies after suspected shooting outside protected area, first such case since 2022 reintroduction

• “An emergency surgery was performed, during which five firearm pellets were recovered from the animal’s body.” — Chief Wildlife Warden Sameeta Rajora

In first such killing in India, Kuno cheetah cub shot dead, pellets recovered

• “This does not seem like a case of shooting in self-defence as a cheetah attacking a human unprovoked is very rare and we have not seen a single case in four years.” — Ajay Dubey

The Hindu

• “We had sent the State Tiger Strike Force to Kuno on October 26 to probe the incident,” — Samita Rajora

How Chambal's lawlessness killed a cheetah: Five pellets in body, killers at large

The central team is expected to submit findings to the MoEFCC within weeks. The STF’s report to the state government is due by November 3. Recommendations may include strengthening fence lines, expanding safe corridors and enhancing community-based monitoring.

The Hindu