India
Madhya Pradesh: 19-Month-Old Cheetah Dies After Being Shot, Firearm Pellets Recovered From Body
By: News18 India
Published: 28 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>A 19-month-old male cheetah, identified as KNG22, died in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning after sustaining severe injuries caused by firearm pellets, with veterinarians recovering five pellets from its body during emergency surgery. The state government has constituted a Special Task Force (STF) comprising forest and police officers to investigate the incident.</p>
<p>The cheetah was rescued on October 25 after being found injured in Compartment No. 748 of the Sheopur Territorial Forest Division.</p>
<p>Despite intensive treatment and emergency surgery, the animal succumbed to its injuries at 5.10 am on October 27, according to a statement issued by Madhya Pradesh Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Dr Sameeta Rajora.</p>
<p>The official statement said an initial X-ray revealed multiple foreign bodies at different locations inside the cheetah’s body, following which treatment was initiated. After consultation with experts, the animal was shifted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur, on October 26 for detailed investigation and intensive treatment.</p>
<p>Despite the efforts of the veterinary team, the cheetah could not be saved.</p>
<p>A subsequent CT scan revealed multiple foreign bodies that had damaged the cheetah’s internal organs, musculoskeletal system and nervous system, the Chief Wildlife Warden said in the statement.</p>
<p>19-month-old male cheetah KNG22 died on October 27 after sustaining gunshot injuries.</p>
<p>Veterinarians recovered five firearm pellets during emergency surgery at NDVSU, Jabalpur.</p>
<p>Madhya Pradesh government formed an STF comprising forest and police officers to investigate the incident.</p>
<p>According to a separate statement issued by NDVSU, the cheetah suffered from “hindlimb paraplegia", or paralysis affecting its hindlimbs.</p>
<p>The CT scan showed metallic foreign bodies in its spine, left shoulder region and right lung.</p>
<p>“Five firearm pellets were successfully removed during a surgical procedure under general anesthesia," the university’s statement said, adding that the cheetah succumbed to its injuries at 5.10 am despite the doctors’ efforts.</p>
<p>The recovery of five firearm pellets from the animal’s body has raised concerns over the circumstances in which it sustained the injuries.</p>
<p>However, the exact sequence of events leading to the incident remains to be established through the investigation.</p>
<p>The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a Special Task Force comprising forest and police officers to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.</p>
<p>“The state government has constituted a Special Task Force (STF) comprising of Forest and Police officers to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident," Dr Rajora said in the official statement.</p>
<p>The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the cheetah’s injuries and death. The reports provided do not establish who fired the shots or the motive behind the incident.</p>
<p>With KNG22’s death, India’s total cheetah population stands at 58, according to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department.</p>
<p>Of these, 52 cheetahs are in Kuno National Park, four in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and two in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. All three locations are in Madhya Pradesh.</p>
<p>The incident comes as the state continues to host the country’s cheetah population under Project Cheetah.</p>
<p>The death of KNG22 has prompted an investigation by the state government to determine how the young male cheetah sustained the fatal injuries.</p>
<p>The 19-month-old male cheetah KNG22 died after sustaining severe injuries from firearm pellets, with veterinarians recovering five pellets from its body during emergency surgery. A CT scan revealed metallic foreign bodies that damaged its internal organs, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system, leading to hindlimb paraplegia.</p>
<p>Following the death of KNG22, India's total cheetah population stands at 58 according to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Out of these, 52 are located in Kuno National Park, four in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, and two in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.</p>
