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Kuno's Rockstar Cheetah Gaurav Dies After Illness
21 Sep
Summary
- Male cheetah Gaurav died after prolonged illness at Kuno National Park.
- He was part of the famous 'Rockstars' coalition with his brother Shaurya.
- Gaurav's death leaves 51 cheetahs remaining at Kuno National Park.
Gaurav, a significant male cheetah at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, passed away on Monday afternoon following an extended battle with illness. He was over 10 years old and had arrived from Namibia in September 2022 as part of the initial group of eight cheetahs.
Gaurav was famously known as one half of the 'Rockstars' coalition, alongside his brother Shaurya (originally Freddie). Their bond and successful hunt of a chital in November 2022 marked a crucial milestone for Project Cheetah. Shaurya sadly died in January 2024, leaving Gaurav to range alone.
Field teams noticed Gaurav weakening by September 12, 2026. He was found to be severely dehydrated with significant muscle wasting. Despite intensive veterinary treatment and supportive care, his condition worsened, leading to his death. A post-mortem examination is pending to determine the exact cause.
With Gaurav's passing, Kuno National Park now houses 51 cheetahs, including 36 born in India. Of these, 16 are currently roaming freely in the wild. An additional four cheetahs are at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, bringing the total cheetah count in the country to 55.
