Cheetah Jwala brought to Kuno after straying into Ranthambore

Time of India

5 days ago

Bhopal: Female cheetah Jwala, one of the translocated big cats from Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, was tranquilised and rescued on Tuesday after straying into Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park.
A joint operation involving forest teams from both states ensured her safe return to Kuno.
Jwala, who is fitted with a GPS-enabled radio collar, had been under continuous surveillance since she crossed the inter-state boundary.
Her movements had raised concern among wildlife authorities, especially with the possibility of a conflict with resident tigers in Ranthambore. After receiving necessary regulatory clearances, a rescue team from Kuno, assisted by field experts, located, sedated, and transported her to Madhya Pradesh.
Jwala had been on the move for several days before being rescued. She was last sighted in Manpur and Kashipur areas of MP, before crossing the Seep River into Rajasthan. Tracking data later placed her in the Rameshwar Triveni Sangam area and eventually within Ranthambore's forest range.
Forest officials reported that prior to her capture, Jwala preyed on domestic livestock, including cattle in Fatehpur village and two goats in Karira village under Baharwanda Kalan police station area of Rajasthan.
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After the incidents, she stayed near the goat enclosure, prompting local teams to intensify ground surveillance.
Camera traps, drone support, and radio collar signals were used by teams from the Kuno Wildlife Division and Rajasthan Forest Department, which jointly maintained round-the-clock monitoring.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Uttam Sharma said Jwala's movement reflected natural dispersal behaviour.
Although officials maintained that the cheetah was not in immediate danger, they believe that her continued presence in tiger territory posed risks, warranting timely intervention.
Jwala's unexpected presence in Ranthambore triggered interest among tourists and local wildlife enthusiasts.
Villagers in surrounding areas had been alerted and instructed to inform the department in case of any unusual sightings or livestock depredation.
Following her rescue, Jwala was returned to Kuno National Park by road and is currently being monitored closely by the wildlife team. Her health is reportedly stable, and officials said she will be kept under observation to assess her condition and behaviour post-relocation.
The incident comes days after an interstate coordination meeting was held between the forest departments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan at Ranthambore to address the ongoing challenges of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project.
Convened on the directions of the chief ministers of both states, the meeting was jointly chaired by the Principal Chief Conservators of Forests (PCCFs) and Chief Wildlife Wardens. Officials from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Divisional Forest Officers from cheetah-range areas were also present. The discussions focused on finalising a Cheetah Action Plan for both states, proposing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for better inter-state coordination, and drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to manage cheetah dispersal and respond to emergencies.
The importance of raising public awareness and involving local communities in conservation efforts was also underscored.
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