Cheetah From Kuno National Park Strays 180 Km to Ranthambhore

Early Tuesday morning ( August 12) , the sleepy village of Karira in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district found itself at the centre of an unusual wildlife drama. Nestled in the buffer zone of Ranthambhore National Park, the village is used to the occasional leopard sighting or tiger rumor, but this time the visitor was an animal none of the villagers had ever seen up close — a cheetah. And not just any cheetah. This was Jwala, a radio-collared female brought from Namibia last year and currently part of India’s ambitious cheetah introduction project at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Somehow, she had strayed nearly 180 kilometres from her designated home and ended up in the heart of rural Rajasthan.

Cheetah in the Village

The first hints of trouble came at dawn, when villagers awoke to find goats bleating unusually as if sounding alert .The villagers were terrified after they spotted an animal — much slimmer than a leopard, with tear-like markings down its face — had been seen in the fields. A cheetah, someone whispered. By the time they discussed the animal, the female cheetah- later identified as Jwala- had killed two goats. The news was so astonishing that within an hour, more than 500 villagers had gathered near the site. For a community that depends on livestock, the loss of goats was not just an emotional blow but also a financial one. Tempers flared. Some villagers wanted the animal gone immediately; others wanted to see the spectacle with their own eyes. Mobile phones came out, and videos began circulating before officials even reached the spot. This was not Jwala’s first interaction with a crowd. She has been wandering in densely populated areas around Kuno since she was released in the open forest.

Also read: Cheetah 'Shoot' near Kuno village, Grok  Suggests Course Correction

Earlier she used to be sighted with her three cubs who recently detached after attaining an age of about 18 months.  Fortunately, Jwala wasn’t still completely alone. A team of cheetah trackers from Kuno had already been following her GPS signal since she began straying westwards. The first challenge wasn’t Jwala herself — she was calm,  sitting  between her two kills— but the crowd. Any sudden noise or movement could have startled the cheetah, potentially pushing her into the village or towards people. The trackers worked quickly to pacify the villagers, explaining that they had the situation under control and that the cheetah posed no immediate threat if left undisturbed.

Tug of Goat with Trackers

But there was another urgent problem: the kill. They actually pulled the kill hard from her mouth . An expert said that tranquiliser works best on an empty stomach. If an animal has overeating, sedatives can be less effective, prolonging the struggle and increasing the risk to both the animal and the rescue team. Jwala had already begun feeding on one of the goats, and time was running short. As they struggled to snatch the goat, the cheetah refused to give up and was dragged towards a cattle enclosure. And as all this happened, hundreds of villagers on trees, rooftops and close to the cheetah near the enclosure yelled and shot videos as the drama unfolded .  In a scene equal part daring and bizarre, trackers succeeded in snatching the goat carcass from her mouth.

Also read: Future Tense For Cute Cheetah Cubs of Kuno 

By 10-30 11 am, the stage was set for the most delicate part of the operation. A wildlife veterinarian prepared the tranquiliser dart, while trackers positioned themselves to ensure a clear shot. Too close, and they risked provoking the animal; too far, and the dart might miss or fail to deliver the dose effectively. The dart found its mark on the first try. Jwala bounded a few metres before slowing, her legs wobbling. Within minutes, she was safely down — her breathing steady, her vitals monitored by the vet. The crowd, which had been holding its breath, let out a collective sigh of relief. Mobile cameras clicked furiously as the team carefully loaded the cheetah into a specially prepared transport crate.

Jwala Swam One Km Chambal Stretch

The journey from Karira back to Kuno took a few hours. Every bump and turn had to be navigated with care — a tranquilised cheetah needs constant observation to ensure she remains stable during transport. Forest officials confirmed that Jwala would be monitored closely upon her return, her movements tracked more intensively for the next few weeks to prevent a repeat escape. Cheetahs are known for covering vast distances in the wild. In Africa, they may roam hundreds of kms in search of prey or territory. But India’s cheetah reintroduction project is still in its early stages and Kuno is  very small in size as compared to African parks.Wildlife experts suggest several possible reasons for Jwala’s journey: exploratory behaviour — young and healthy cheetahs often test the limits of their range; following prey — goats in Karira were an easy target, but she may have begun the trek pursuing antelope or smaller game; or territorial avoidance — she might have been avoiding dominant males or other females within Kuno’s boundaries. 

Also read: Bringing African Cheetahs to India a Wrong Decision ? 

Whatever the cause, her 180-kilometre detour is among the longest recorded for any of the relocated cheetahs so far. While doing so , Jwala had to  cross the river Chambal with plenty of water in monsoons. She must  have swam across long  water stretch -about 150 meters-to cross the river, a Karira villager claimed. Jwala is one of the eight Namibian cheetahs brought to India in September 2022, part of Project Cheetah — the world’s first intercontinental large carnivore translocation. 

By Deshdeep Saxena