Tue Mar 25 05:29:18 UTC 2025: ## Cheetah Family Pelted with Stones in Madhya Pradesh, Raising Concerns Over Project Cheetah
**Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, March 25, 2025** – A female cheetah and her four cubs were attacked with stones by villagers in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, March 24, sparking concerns about the success of India’s ambitious Project Cheetah. The incident occurred near Behardha village in Sheopur district, where the cheetahs, introduced from Africa, were attempting to hunt a calf.
Videos circulating on social media show villagers wielding sticks and attempting to drive the cheetahs away. While the cheetahs retreated into the forest unharmed, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges in integrating the animals into their new environment.
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey criticized the incident as a “complete failure” of the authorities, stating that despite the presence of monitoring teams and “Cheetah Mitras” (Cheetah Friends) awareness programs, villagers resorted to violence. He highlighted the failure to effectively educate the local population on coexisting with the cheetahs and the compensation available for livestock losses.
Project Cheetah Director Uttam Kumar Sharma urged the public to remain calm and allow the cheetahs to move freely, assuring compensation for any livestock killed by the animals.
Since Project Cheetah’s launch in September 2022, 20 cheetahs have been introduced to Kuno National Park. While 19 cubs have been born, eight adult cheetahs have died. Currently, 26 cheetahs, including 17 in the wild, reside in the park. The incident underscores the delicate balance between conservation efforts and community acceptance needed for Project Cheetah’s long-term success.
First Piper 