Madhya Pradesh Cheetah Shooting Incident

Summary of Cheetah Shooting Incident in Madhya Pradesh

1. Incident Overview:

   • A 19-month-old male cheetah, named KNG-22, was shot in Madhya Pradesh and later died from injuries.

2. Arrests and Investigation:

   • The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested two brothers, Bhagwan Singh and Pritam Singh, alleged to have shot the cheetah.
   • The firearm used was identified as a licensed double-barrelled country firearm.
   • Investigators recovered the weapon from a forest area in Morena district after the arrest on October 31.

3. Legal Framework:

   • A case has been registered against the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act.
   • Prior to the arrest, approximately 20 people were interrogated, and searches were conducted in the Morena-Sheopur area to gather evidence related to the shooting.

4. Death of KNG-22:

   • The cheetah was found injured on October 25 in the territorial forest division of Morena, outside Kuno National Park, and was later moved to Jabalpur for advanced medical treatment.
   • A CT scan revealed extensive internal injuries, and five gun pellets were recovered during surgery. The cheetah died on October 27.

5. Government Response:

   • Following the incident, a four-member task force comprising forest and police officers was formed by the Madhya Pradesh government on October 27 to investigate the matter further.
   • The Union Environment Ministry dispatched a three-member team from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to review safety measures for cheetahs outside protected areas.

6. Cheetah Population Statistics:

   • KNG-22's death reduced India's cheetah population to 58, with the following distribution:
     • 52 cheetahs at Kuno National Park
     • 4 at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
     • 2 at Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

7. Research and Monitoring:

   • Investigators used data from KNG-22's radio collar to track his movements leading up to the incident, aiding in understanding the context of the shooting.

8. International Context:

   • This incident highlights ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation and enforcement of protection laws in India.

This summary encapsulates the key facts and developments in the case surrounding the shooting of KNG-22, providing a clear overview of the incident and its implications for wildlife conservation efforts in the country.