Namibian Cheetah ‘Nabha’ Dies at Kuno National Park Following Injuries

 Kuno National Park, July 13 — Nabha, an eight-year-old female cheetah translocated from Namibia to India as part of the country's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, has died due to injuries sustained during a suspected hunting attempt inside her enclosure. The death was confirmed by officials on Saturday.

According to Uttam Sharma, Field Director of the Cheetah Project, Nabha had suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to the ulna and fibula on her left side, believed to have occurred during a chase inside her soft release enclosure.

“She was undergoing treatment for a week but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. A postmortem examination will provide further clarity,” Sharma stated.

With Nabha's passing, the number of cheetahs at Kuno National Park (KNP) has been reduced to 26, comprising nine adults (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born on Indian soil. In addition, two translocated male cheetahs stationed at Gandhi Sagar remain healthy, officials confirmed.

Sharma noted that out of the 26 cheetahs currently in KNP, 16 are living in the wild and showing strong signs of adaptation.

“They have acclimatised well to the habitat, are coexisting with native predators, and are hunting regularly,” he added.

The park authorities also recently completed a round of anti-ecto-parasitic medication for the entire cheetah population to prevent infections. Two female cheetahs—Veera and Nirva—and their cubs are reportedly in good health and thriving under observation.

India's cheetah reintroduction programme, a historic conservation initiative, was launched in September 2022—decades after the species was declared extinct in the country. The last recorded sightings of the Asiatic cheetah in India date back to 1947.

Under this programme, 20 African cheetahs were brought in two phases: eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023.

However, the project has faced challenges. In May 2023, three cubs born to Namibian cheetah Jwala died due to a heatwave in Madhya Pradesh. In response, a solar-powered water lift system was installed in June this year to ensure hydration and cooling resources during the harsh summer months.

Despite setbacks, authorities remain optimistic about the long-term success of the project, citing encouraging signs of behavioral adaptation and successful breeding in the wild.