Kuno cheetah reaches Rajasthan's Karauli, captured in time & sent back

Jaipur: One of the African cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park strayed around 50km and reached Karauli in neighbouring Rajasthan early Saturday, but was tranquilised and taken back the same evening, officials said.

Foresters monitored the movement of the male cheetah, Oman, while keeping panicked locals at bay in Mandrayal area.

Nearly 300 families reside in the zone the cheetah sauntered. Four months ago, another Kuno cheetah had sneaked into Rajasthan.

Karauli deputy forest conservator Piyush Kumar Sharma said a team from MP had set up camp in the area. "The animal was tranquilised in the evening as it was not safe to dart it during high temperatures in the afternoon. The team captured it around 4:30pm and took it back," Sharma added.

Mandrayal sees frequent movement of tigers, but none was detected in the vicinity while the cheetah wandered there on Saturday, officials said.

Cheetah may have followed route along Chambal

According to forest department officials, the cheetah may have followed a route along the Chambal river, which flows through Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan's Karauli.

As word spread about its arrival, villagers wielding sticks took positions. Foresters arrived soon and ensured there was no confrontation.

"The villagers were asked to be cautious and keep sufficient distance from the cheetah," said an official.

Agni, the Kuno cheetah that had strayed into Rajasthan four months ago, was captured in Baran district, adjacent to MP, and taken back.