Who shot Kuno’s young cheetah? Three arrested, weapon missing

A young cheetah was shot dead in Kuno National Park in India, leaving India with 58 cheetahs across its protected sanctuaries and reserves, according to wildlife officials. The State Tiger Strike Force stated that local residents were suspected of involvement in hunting the 19-month-old male cub. Officials stated that two brothers were among the suspects arrested, produced before the local court, and taken to the site for scene recreation. A wildlife official stated, “Local people were suspected to be involved, and three persons were arrested and produced before the local court.” Five pellets from a traditional muzzle-loading firearm were recovered from the animal’s body during surgery at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University in Jabalpur, and the MP government stated that a licensed gun used in the killing was recovered, though the muzzle-loading weapon itself has not been found. The Madhya Pradesh government constituted a four-member Special Task Force to investigate the incident. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change deputed a three-member team from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to examine security arrangements and evidence. Investigators continue to examine radio-collar data and question villagers to determine the exact shooting location.

Sources

The Indian Express

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Who shot Kuno’s young cheetah? Three arrested, weapon missing

Sources

More in Courts and Judgments

Two arrested in connection with poaching of Kuno cheetah cub

India’s cheetahs are roaming beyond protected forests. Can GPS collars keep them safe?

PETA’s plea: Celebrities, politicians, scientists sign against Centre’s draft on animal cruelty rules

From the Library

45 live reptiles seized at Trichy airport, 2 arrested

86 live tokay geckos seized in Assam, two arrested

Madras High Court, 1 Sep 2026: PCA section 11(1)(a) is non-cognizable (Balaji v. State, Crl.O.P. No. 9632 of 2026)