Cheetah Nirva Missing At Kuno National Park

A female cheetah named Nirva has gone missing at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Her satellite collar has not sent signals for the last four to five days, prompting the Forest Department to launch a search operation.

The search operation involves five teams with more than 100 forest staff, who are combing the forest to locate Nirva. Drones and CCTV cameras are also being used to search possible areas.

According to officials, they are still receiving BHF signals from Nirva, but the signal has an effective range of only around 500 metres, making the search more difficult. PCCF Wildlife Dr Samita Rajora said the satellite signal from Nirva's collar has not been received for the past four to five days.

She added that there is also a possibility that rain may have affected the satellite signal. Dr Rajora said five teams are searching for Nirva and more information will be shared once her location is confirmed.

This is not the first time Nirva has gone out of monitoring. In July 2023, she remained untracked for around 22 days after her satellite location stopped working. She was later found and rescued in an operation that lasted around six hours.

Nirva had been with her male and female cubs, but after the collar signal stopped, both cubs moved away from her. Forest officials said this is a natural process as cheetah cubs become capable of hunting and living on their own before separating from their mother.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey has questioned Kuno management over Nirva's missing signal. He also raised concerns about leopard deaths in Kuno and the repeated use of tranquilisation on cheetahs, questioning the park's safety and monitoring system.

With the satellite collar not providing a location, the Forest Department is currently depending on BHF signals to track Nirva. However, their limited range means teams have to search a larger area of the forest.

The search for Nirva is ongoing, and officials are hopeful that she will be found soon. The incident has raised concerns about the monitoring system at Kuno National Park and the safety of the cheetahs.

The disappearance of Nirva is a significant concern for the Forest Department and wildlife activists, as it highlights the challenges of monitoring and tracking cheetahs in the wild. The incident also underscores the need for a more effective monitoring system to ensure the safety and well-being of the cheetahs at Kuno National Park.

In conclusion, the search for Nirva is a complex operation that requires careful planning and execution. The Forest Department and wildlife activists are working together to locate Nirva and ensure her safety. The incident has also raised important questions about the monitoring system at Kuno National Park and the need for improved safety measures to protect the cheetahs.