Concerns for the welfare of cheetahs in Kuno National Park have intensified following an incident in which villagers attacked a female cheetah, Jwala, and her four cubs after they left the park boundaries. This distressing event took place in Teliapura village, Veerpur Tehsil, where the cheetah family was reportedly hunting a cow. Eyewitnesses reported that local residents threw stones at the cheetahs and attempted to drive them away with sticks, highlighting the urgent need for effective protective measures for these animals.
In light of this situation, Kuno National Park officials and the Sheopur district administration have issued a public advisory urging villagers to remain calm and to refrain from harming the cheetahs. The advisory emphasizes that cheetahs are not a threat to humans and provides vital guidelines for the community on how to respond if they encounter a cheetah.
Guidelines for Spotting a Cheetah:
- Notify the forest department immediately.
- Remain calm, as cheetahs do not pose a danger to people.
- Keep children and livestock indoors.
- Allow the cheetah to leave on its own, as it will typically move away from human areas.
- Make loud noises if a cheetah threatens livestock to encourage it to depart.
- Compensation will be provided for livestock losses due to cheetah attacks.
What to Avoid:
- Do not venture into the forest alone.
- Avoid attacking or trying to harm the cheetah with sticks or stones.
- Stay away from fields alone at night.
- Prevent crowds from gathering around the animal.
- Never attempt to trap the cheetah with nets or other equipment.
- Do not approach for photos or videos.
- Refrain from retaliatory actions if a cheetah harms livestock.
After spending three days outside the park, Jwala and her cubs are beginning to return to the forested areas of Kuno. However, as of Tuesday evening, they have only been tracked near the periphery of Kuno’s core forest.
This incident is not unprecedented; wandering cheetahs have previously crossed into human settlements, reaching areas as far as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, necessitating tranquilization and relocation efforts by forest officials.
Following the attack on Jwala and her cubs, there are mounting concerns regarding the safety of these animals, even as tracking efforts continue. Authorities are calling for community cooperation to help protect the cheetahs and secure their future in Kuno National Park.
At present, 17 cheetahs, including 11 cubs, inhabit the open forests of Kuno, while nine are housed in enclosed areas within the park.
