India's Cheetah Reintroduction and Tiger Census — 2026-10-15
India’s cheetah population has dropped to 59 following the death of an eight-month-old cub at Kuno National Park, marking the seventh cheetah death in 2026. Concurrently, transparency concerns have intensified as the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department denied RTI requests for post-mortem reports, citing national security. In tiger conservation, a tigress rescued from a well in Damoh has successfully raised four cubs, while Balaghat faces a CDV outbreak linked to domestic dogs.
India's Cheetah Reintroduction and Tiger Census — 2026-10-15
Top developments
Seventh Cheetah Death of 2026 Reduces Population to 59
On October 12, 2026, an eight-month-old cheetah cub born to Namibian-born mother Asha was found dead at Kuno National Park. This incident marks the seventh cheetah death in India this year, reducing the total surviving population to 59, with 41 of those born in India. The cause of death remains unknown pending a post-mortem report, highlighting ongoing survival challenges for the reintroduction program despite recent population gains.
RTI Denial on Cheetah Post-Mortems Sparks Transparency Debate
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has refused to disclose post-mortem reports for cheetahs that died under Project Cheetah since 2022, responding to Right to Information (RTI) requests by citing "national security" and potential adverse effects on foreign relations. An activist who has consistently sought these reports noted that the refusal prevents independent verification of mortality causes, raising questions about the program's accountability and the true extent of health issues affecting the reintroduced cats.
Tigress Rescued from Well Raises Four Cubs in Durgavati Reserve
In a positive development for tiger conservation, a tigress rescued from a well in the Sagar district’s Durgavati Tiger Reserve in February 2025 has successfully given birth to and is now raising four cubs. Camera trap images released in mid-October confirm the tigress and her four cubs are thriving, demonstrating resilience after her near-death experience. This success story contrasts with recent mortality concerns in other reserves.
CDV Outbreak Linked to Domestic Dogs Kills Tigers in Balaghat
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), transmitted by domestic dogs, has been identified as a primary cause of tiger deaths in the Balaghat region of Madhya Pradesh. Reports indicate that over eight tigers have succumbed to CDV-related complications in the last six months, prompting urgent calls for stricter regulation of free-roaming dog populations around tiger habitats to prevent further spillover events.
Local view
Hindi media outlets are focusing heavily on the opacity surrounding Project Cheetah. Naidunia reports that the Forest Department’s refusal to share post-mortem details under RTI is preventing locals and activists from understanding the real reasons behind the deaths, with officials claiming disclosure could harm international diplomatic ties. Meanwhile, Dainik Jagran highlights the local impact in Sheopur, noting that the community views the repeated deaths with skepticism regarding the project's long-term viability.
Context & numbers
- Cheetah Population: Total surviving cheetahs in India stand at 59, down from previous estimates due to recent mortality. Of these, 41 were born in India.
- 2026 Mortality: 7 cheetah deaths have occurred in India so far in 2026.
- Global Tiger Population: The global wild tiger population is estimated to have risen from approximately 3,200 in 2010 to nearly 5,700 in 2025, with India holding more than 75% of this global population.
On the radar
- Post-Mortem Results: The specific cause of death for Asha’s cub is pending official release, which may clarify if disease or predation is the dominant threat.
- Gandhi Sagar Expansion: Plans to shift more female cheetahs from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary to boost breeding rates continue to be monitored, though no new transfers have been officially confirmed in the last week.
- CDV Control Measures: Authorities in Balaghat are expected to announce new protocols for domestic dog vaccination or culling to curb the virus spreading to wild tigers.
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