The mutilated bodies of two cubs born to Nirva, a female cheetah at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, were discovered on November 28, just three days after their birth.

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department shared the news on social media platform X, revealing that the cubs were found during an inspection of Nirva’s den after she had left the site.

A team comprising wildlife veterinarians and the cheetah monitoring unit conducted the inspection, uncovering the tragic remains. The department confirmed that no other cubs were located in the boma where Nirva resides and assured that the female cheetah is in good health. Samples from the deceased cubs have been collected for detailed analysis.

Nirva’s cubs were born on November 25, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announcing their birth via X. He noted that forest officials were working to determine the exact number of cubs.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by Project Cheetah, India’s ambitious initiative to reintroduce African cheetahs into the wild.

Since the arrival of 20 adult cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa in 2022 and 2023, 19 cubs have been born in Kuno National Park. However, the mortality rate remains high, with seven cubs and eight adults succumbing to various causes, including septicaemia, a blood infection.

The latest deaths have raised further concerns about the viability of the reintroduction program, emphasizing the need for enhanced measures to ensure the survival of the species in the Indian landscape.