Cheetah Finds Refuge in Rajasthan's Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary After Straying from MP's Kuno
Bharatpur: Cheetah KP-3—which had strayed from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park and wandered through the forest areas of Karauli and Dholpur before establishing a base in Bharatpur's Bandh Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan on May 26—appears completely at ease in its new surroundings.
Bandh Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary is a picturesque protected area, situated in the Bayana Tehsil of the Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. Originally established as a royal hunting ground, this 19th-century man-made wetland—built upon the Kakund River—has now evolved into a premier hub for bird-watching; it is home to over 200 bird species, as well as a diverse array of mammals such as leopards, nilgai, and wild boars.
The sanctuary's rich wetland ecosystem and expansive forest boundaries provided a natural environment for wandering felines to roam and hunt.
Sources within the Forest Department stated on Wednesday that the cheetah, fitted with a GPS-enabled collar, even successfully hunted a calf within the sanctuary. Department teams are making every effort to monitor the cheetah's every movement, while simultaneously keeping a close watch on the safety of both the animal and the local residents.
The cheetah is currently staying in this protected area—which spans approximately 36,000 hectares—primarily due to the abundance of prey, food, water, and secure habitat available here. Given that the forests of Karauli and Bandh Baretha are interconnected, the animal's movement between the two regions is considered natural; however, Bandh Baretha has remained its primary base thus far.
The cheetah has not encountered any major rivals capable of posing a serious threat to it. This is precisely why it feels secure enough to remain here for an extended period.
The sanctuary is home to approximately 10 to 12 leopards. It is generally believed that leopards are more powerful and aggressive than cheetahs. Consequently, should the two species come into direct confrontation, it could pose a significant danger to the cheetah.