Namibian Cheetah 'Gaurav' Dies in Kuno, Madhya Pradesh; Had Been Undergoing Treatment
Gaurav, a cheetah brought from Namibia, died at Kuno National Park on Monday evening. He was over 10 years old. According to a press note issued by the Kuno National Park management, Gaurav succumbed while undergoing treatment around 4 PM on Monday. He had been rescued on September 12 after being spotted in the wild in a weak and lethargic state. He had been under constant monitoring and treatment since then.
According to the management, a medical examination following the rescue revealed that Gaurav was extremely weak. Clear signs of muscle wasting and severe dehydration were observed. He was immediately administered systematic and supportive treatment. Gaurav was kept in the Quarantine Boma (QB) at Palpur for better monitoring and care.
The press note states that initial clinical examinations raised suspicions of a chronic underlying illness. Although he received continuous supportive care during treatment, his condition did not improve. His health deteriorated further on Monday, and he passed away around 4 PM.
Kuno management stated that no final conclusion regarding the actual cause of death has been reached yet. The precise cause will only be determined after analyzing samples collected during the post-mortem and reviewing the associated reports.
51 Cheetahs Now in Kuno; 36 Born in India
Following Gaurav's death, a total of 51 cheetahs remain at Kuno National Park. Of these, 36 are born in India. Of these, 16 cheetahs are currently roaming freely in the wild.
Meanwhile, with the inclusion of the four cheetahs present in the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, the total cheetah population in the country has now reached 55. Cheetah conservation and monitoring efforts are ongoing at Kuno; the management is regularly tracking the movements and health of the cheetahs in the wild.
Following Gaurav's death, the post-mortem report and the results of sample analyses are awaited. These reports will clarify the underlying medical reason for his weakness and deteriorating health.