Cheetah KGP11 injured in Morena, under treatment at Kuno National Park
Synopsis
An Indian-born cheetah from the Kuno project, released into the wild just months ago in March 2025, has been brought back injured. KGP11's case is a fresh test of the Cheetah Project's emergency response — and a reminder that free-ranging reintroduction in Indian forests still carries real attrition risk.
Key Takeaways
KGP11 , a 27-month-old female cheetah, was found injured in Pahadgarh, Morena district on 1 June 2025 .
She has been shifted to a veterinary facility at Palpur inside Kuno National Park and housed in a quarantine boma.
KGP11 is Indian-born and was released into the wild in March 2025 under the Cheetah Project.
Field Director Uttam Kumar Sharma said the nature and cause of the injury are under investigation.
All other cheetahs in the park are reported healthy and under regular monitoring.
An injured female cheetah, KGP11, aged 27 months, has been shifted to a veterinary facility inside Kuno National Park for treatment after being spotted wounded in the Pahadgarh area of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, forest officials confirmed on 3 June 2025. The Indian-born cheetah is now in a quarantine boma at Palpur, under round-the-clock observation by wildlife experts.
How the injury was detected
According to the state forest department, a tracking team identified KGP11 in an injured condition during routine surveillance on 1 June. Park authorities were alerted, and a veterinary team reached the site to conduct a preliminary health examination before moving the animal to the centre at Palpur.
Treatment and current status
KGP11 has been housed in a quarantine enclosure, where she is receiving medical care under continuous monitoring. Officials have not yet disclosed the nature of the injury, stating that the cause is still being examined.
‘We are closely monitoring the cheetah's condition. The nature of the injury and how it was sustained are currently under investigation,' said Uttam Kumar Sharma, Field Director of Kuno National Park. He added that a team of veterinarians and wildlife specialists is overseeing the recovery process.
Background of KGP11
KGP11 is an Indian-born female cheetah linked to the Cheetah Project. She was released into the wild in March 2025 and has been roaming freely in the forests around Kuno since. Her case marks one of the latest health incidents involving the project's free-ranging cohort.
Wider project health update
Sharma stated that all other cheetahs currently present in the park are healthy and being regularly monitored. He noted that the timely detection by the tracking team enabled swift medical intervention, improving the prospects of recovery.
What happens next
The forest department has launched a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the injury. Veterinarians will continue treatment in the quarantine boma while investigators examine whether the wound was caused by a territorial encounter, prey resistance, or other factors in the wild.
Point of View
While procedurally normal, will invite scrutiny given past mortality controversies. Reintroduction at this scale needs transparent, near-real-time health disclosures to retain public and scientific trust.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is cheetah KGP11 and why is she significant?
KGP11 is a 27-month-old Indian-born female cheetah associated with India's Cheetah Project at Kuno National Park. She was released into the wild in March 2025 and has been free-ranging since, making her one of the project's home-grown success markers.
Where and when was KGP11 found injured?
She was spotted in an injured condition by a tracking team in the Pahadgarh area of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, on 1 June 2025. Park authorities then moved her to a veterinary facility at Palpur inside Kuno National Park.
What is her current condition?
KGP11 is housed in a quarantine boma at Kuno's veterinary centre and is receiving treatment under constant observation by veterinarians and wildlife experts. Officials have not disclosed the nature of the injury, saying it is under investigation.
Are the other cheetahs at Kuno safe?
Yes, according to Field Director Uttam Kumar Sharma, all other cheetahs in the park are healthy and being regularly monitored. The forest department says routine surveillance is continuing across the reserve.
What is being done to determine how she was injured?
The forest department has launched a detailed inquiry into the circumstances of the injury. Veterinarians and wildlife specialists are examining the wound while officials investigate whether it resulted from a wild encounter or another cause.
