High-level probe ordered into Kuno cheetah's fatal shooting by Centre

A 19-month-old cheetah died after being shot with firearm pellets in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. The central government has ordered a high-level investigation into the death and security arrangements under Project Cheetah. The investigation will be led by a central team comprising officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.

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Prelims-testable facts

01The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has ordered a high-level investigation into the death of a 19-month-old cheetah from firearm pellet injuries near Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
02A high-level committee has been constituted to investigate the death of the cheetah, comprising officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).
03The cheetah, identified as KNG22, was found injured on October 25, 2026, in a territorial forest area outside Kuno National Park.
04Five firearm pellets were recovered from the cheetah's body during emergency surgery, which was performed on October 27.
05The central government has cited the 'critical importance' of Project Cheetah, India's reintroduction programme, as the reason for the high-level investigation.
06The cheetah population in India stands at 58, according to the latest figures provided.
07The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the death, available evidence, and review security protocols, monitoring arrangements, and protection measures.

Trap alerts

Most people think that the cheetah was killed by poachers, but actually the investigation is looking into all possible angles, including self-defence and failures in monitoring and protection.
Most people think that Project Cheetah is a state-level initiative, but actually it is a central government programme.
Most people think that the cheetah was killed in Kuno National Park, but actually it was found injured in a territorial forest area outside the park.

Current-affairs link

The Project Cheetah is a part of the Government of India's efforts to reintroduce cheetahs in India, which was launched in 2022 with the aim of reintroducing the species in the wild after it became extinct in 1952.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

How many cheetahs are currently surviving in India?

A.50
B.58
C.60
D.70

India's surviving cheetah population stands at 58, according to the latest figures provided.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding High-Level Probe: 1. The central government has ordered a high-level investigation into the death of a 19-month-old cheetah. 2. The investigation is being led by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 3. The central team comprises officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is true because fact 6 states that the central government has ordered a high-level investigation. Statement 2 is false because fact 6 states that the central team comprises officials from the NTCA and the WCCB, but does not mention the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as the lead agency. Statement 3 is true because fact 4 states that the central team comprises officials from the NTCA and the WCCB.

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