Bhopal/Sheopur, March 24 – A tense situation unfolded in Bhairapura village of Madhya Pradesh’s Vijaypur tehsil on Monday morning when five cheetahs, including a female and her four cubs, ventured out of Kuno National Park and attacked a calf. In response, agitated villagers pelted stones at the wild cats to drive them away, prompting swift intervention by forest officials.
Cheetahs Cross Kuno’s Boundary, Trigger Panic
The incident occurred just weeks after the female cheetah, named Jwala, and her cubs were released into the open wilderness from a protected enclosure within Kuno National Park. On Saturday evening, the cheetah family was first seen outside the park boundary. Though they briefly returned to the forest on Sunday afternoon, they were spotted again that night near Shyampur village in Veerpur tehsil—approximately a kilometer from the under-construction Sheopur-Gwalior broad-gauge rail line.
By Monday morning, the cheetahs had reached Kuno River, near the Kuno siphon area, resting for a considerable time under a partially built railway bridge. Their presence attracted a crowd of curious onlookers, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
Attack on Calf Provokes Villagers’ Reaction
While crossing a path near the village, the female cheetah and her cubs suddenly lunged at a grazing calf. Witnessing the attack, the calf’s owner and local villagers rushed in with sticks and began throwing stones at the cheetahs in an attempt to save the animal.
According to eyewitnesses, the female cheetah held onto the calf’s neck for several minutes before retreating, apparently startled by the crowd and stone-pelting. The forest department team stationed nearby intervened promptly, urging villagers to avoid attacking the cheetahs and assuring them that compensation for the calf’s loss would be provided.
Forest Department Issues Caution and Reassurance
Forest officials emphasized the importance of coexisting with wildlife and warned against hostile actions that could endanger both humans and animals. A 15-member monitoring team had been tasked with tracking Jwala and her cubs. During the incident, one team was slightly delayed, while another was already positioned nearby.
The department later conducted an awareness drive, urging villagers to maintain distance and report sightings instead of engaging with the animals. The cheetahs eventually fled the area and returned to forest cover, with no reported injuries to humans or the cheetahs.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.