Namibian Cheetah Gaurav Dies at Kuno, India's Cheetah Count Falls to 55

A Namibian cheetah named Elton, later renamed Gaurav, died at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Monday afternoon after battling chronic health conditions. The cheetah was rescued from the wild on September 12 in a weakened state and placed under observation at a quarantine facility. Despite treatment and supportive care, its condition deteriorated and it died around 4 pm.

With this death, India's total cheetah population has declined to 55. Kuno National Park now holds 51 cheetahs, including 36 born in India, with 16 currently ranging freely in the wild. Four additional cheetahs are at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. The exact cause of death will be determined after post-mortem examination and sample analysis.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey alleged the death was announced late to avoid overshadowing Project Cheetah's four-year celebrations and the Prime Minister's birthday on September 17. He claimed the cheetah died on September 16 and demanded an independent agency investigate the case.