Namibian cheetah Gaurav dies at Kuno National Park after week-long treatment
Namibian cheetah Gaurav died at Kuno National Park on Monday evening while under treatment, taking the park's cheetah count to 51.
A Namibian cheetah named Gaurav has died at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park while undergoing treatment, the field director of the cheetah project said. The 10-year-old animal died around 4 p.m. on Monday (September 21, 2026).
Gaurav was brought in from the wild on September 12 after he was seen to be weak and dull. On examination, he was found to be markedly weak, with visible muscle wasting and severe dehydration. He was given immediate systemic and supportive treatment and then shifted to Palpur, where he was kept in a Quarantine Boma for close observation and further care.
The field director said a preliminary clinical examination pointed to an underlying chronic condition. Treatment and supportive care continued, but his condition worsened and he did not survive.
The exact cause of death will be established after a post-mortem examination and analysis of the samples collected.
With Gaurav's death, Kuno National Park is now home to 51 cheetahs, of which 36 were born in India. Sixteen of the 51 are currently ranging freely in the wild. Four more cheetahs are housed at the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, taking the total cheetah population in the country to 55.