Wildlife officials debunk reports of female cheetah at Kuno National Park pregnant

The speculations surrounding the pregnancy of one of the female Cheetah at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park have been reportedly refuted by the senior government official related to the matter. According to an Indian Express report, Madhya Pradesh Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J S Chauhan has claimed that no data or findings could support the reports of Asha being pregnant.

Earlier, reports were doing the rounds on social media claiming that Asha, one of five female Cheetah, was ‘exhibiting all behavioural, physical and hormonal signs of being pregnant. Mr Chauhan said neither has the donor agency, Namibia-based Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) nor have we conducted any test based on which it can be said that Asha is pregnant.”

Indian Express also quoted Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dean and Senior Scientist Dr Yadvendradev V Jhala, who and eight other researchers have been maintaining round-the-clock observation over the cheetahs, who denied any truth behind the rumour.

A WII researcher also dismissed the reports, saying, “there are no signs that any of the female cheetahs are pregnant”. Mr Chauhan further confirmed that all the cheetahs would be eligible on October 17 for shifting to the larger enclosure – 5.5 sq km – where they will hunt by themselves. After monitoring their health and adaptability, they will be kept in chambers for a few months.

Chauhan reportedly said that the second batch of the big cats will now “hopefully reach here in October itsel f”, provided the Indian and South African governments first sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).