A cheetah named Pawan has died at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Pawan was brought from Namibia and released in Kuno National Park. His death is a significant blow to the “Project Cheetah.” Last September, Pawan was one of eight cheetahs brought to India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi released him into the park on his birthday.

Second Cheetah Death in August:
Pawan’s death is the second cheetah death this month. Earlier, on August 5, a cub died. Since the first batch of cheetahs was released in September 2022, one dozen cheetahs, including four cubs, have died. Despite efforts, the death toll continues. According to the Times of India, Pawan was the father of two out of three cubs born in Kuno and was the only cheetah living in the open. He was affectionately called ‘Nomad’ by the caretakers.

Cheetahs from Namibia:
Pawan is the eighth adult cheetah to die. Between September 2022 and February 2023, 20 cheetahs were brought from Namibia and South Africa in two phases. After Pawan’s death, there are now 24 cheetahs in Kuno, consisting of 12 adults and 12 cubs. Pawan was known to be one of the strongest and most agile cheetahs, which is why he was released to roam in the open. His death is a major setback for the project, and an investigation is underway.

Death in a Stream:
Pawan was found dead near a stream on Tuesday morning around 10:30 AM. According to an official release, recent rains had filled the stream, and half of Pawan’s body was submerged in water. No external injuries were found. The preliminary cause of death is suspected to be drowning, and a post-mortem report is awaited. Pawan’s death has raised concerns about the safety of other cheetahs in Kuno.

On August 5, another cheetah named Gamini died after falling from a tree and injuring its spine. All seven of Pawan’s cubs are still alive. Pawan was known for his adventurous nature and had roamed more than 100 kilometers from Kuno’s protected area.