Female cheetah Jwala and her four cubs strayed beyond the boundaries of Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park on Monday, triggering concern among locals and wildlife officials. The movement of the big cats was captured on video, which has since gone viral on social media.
According to officials, Jwala and her cubs had been released into the open forest area of the park about a month ago. However, on Saturday evening, they ventured beyond the park’s limits for the first time. By Sunday afternoon, they briefly returned but later wandered out again.
By nighttime, villagers in Shyampur, located in Veerpur Tehsil, spotted the cheetahs just a kilometer away from a railway track that is currently under construction. The following morning, the animals were seen resting near the Kuno River, under a railway bridge. News of their presence quickly spread, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.
As the cheetahs roamed the area, an alarming incident unfolded when Jwala and her cubs attacked a cow. In response, villagers attempted to drive them away using sticks and pelting stones.
Despite repeated warnings from the forest department’s rescue team urging locals to maintain a safe distance, the villagers continued their aggressive response.
After being struck, Jwala released the cow and fled with her cubs toward the Tiliderra area of Veerpur. Forest department officials, along with local conservation volunteers, have since been working to educate villagers about the cheetahs, emphasising that the animals do not pose a threat to humans unless provoked.
As soon as the villagers caught sight of the cheetahs, many rushed to the scene—some out of fear, while others were driven by curiosity. Their calls and hurried movements further agitated the animals.
Upon receiving information about the incident, forest authorities swiftly deployed a rescue team to track the cheetahs and ensure their safe return to the park. Experts believe that Jwala may have strayed from her territory either while hunting or in search of a new habitat.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are taking necessary steps to guide the cheetahs back into their protected environment.
Follow us
