A recent viral video from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park has stirred a mix of emotions and raised serious questions about human-wildlife interactions. The footage shows a man calmly approaching a group of cheetahs resting under a tree and placing a container of water in front of them. To the surprise of viewers, the cheetahs begin to drink from the container while the man stands nearby, watching over them.
Online, the video rapidly became popular, with many people applauding the man's kindness and bravery. Wildlife officials, however, were not happy behind the scenes. Later on, it was discovered that the man was a temporary driver working for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Following the incident, officials confirmed that he had been suspended from his duties pending further inquiry.
While the video may seem heartwarming to the viewer, conservationists and forest officials warn that such actions can be dangerous for both humans and animals. “If cheetahs get food and water from humans, then the animals would continue to stray into human settlements,” one official from the Kuno forest division stated. He added, “This not only threatens the safety of the villagers but also undermines the rewilding process of the cheetahs.”
This incident is not isolated. A female cheetah named Jwala and her four cubs were allegedly stoned by villagers in the Sheopur district recently as they were wandering close to a railroad track. According to reports, the people were afraid for their safety and animals. The difficulties in overseeing predator reintroduction initiatives in areas where humans predominate have been brought to light by these recurrent occurrences.
There are currently 17 cheetahs in the wild, including 11 cubs born in India, thanks to the cheetah project in Kuno, which was introduced with great fanfare as part of India's ambitious conservation plan. The goal is to establish a sustainable population of the world’s fastest land animal in the subcontinent, where it was declared extinct in 1952. But success depends not just on the survival of the cheetahs, but on how well humans and wildlife can coexist.
Experts note that cheetahs are still adjusting to their new environment. Any form of human interaction — especially direct feeding or watering — can interrupt their natural behavior, make them dependent, or even aggressive. “It’s important to remember that wild animals must remain wild,” said a wildlife official. “Habituation to humans creates long-term risks.”
In light of this, authorities are calling for stricter enforcement of park rules and urging local communities to avoid close contact with the cheetahs. Awareness campaigns are also underway to educate villagers about the dangers of human interaction and the importance of supporting the cheetahs’ natural adaptation process.
While the image of a man offering water to cheetahs may linger in public memory as a gesture of kindness, forest officials stress that conservation requires discipline, not sentiment. True coexistence comes from maintaining respectful boundaries — not crossing them, even with the best of intentions.
Online, the video rapidly became popular, with many people applauding the man's kindness and bravery. Wildlife officials, however, were not happy behind the scenes. Later on, it was discovered that the man was a temporary driver working for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Following the incident, officials confirmed that he had been suspended from his duties pending further inquiry.
While the video may seem heartwarming to the viewer, conservationists and forest officials warn that such actions can be dangerous for both humans and animals. “If cheetahs get food and water from humans, then the animals would continue to stray into human settlements,” one official from the Kuno forest division stated. He added, “This not only threatens the safety of the villagers but also undermines the rewilding process of the cheetahs.”
This incident is not isolated. A female cheetah named Jwala and her four cubs were allegedly stoned by villagers in the Sheopur district recently as they were wandering close to a railroad track. According to reports, the people were afraid for their safety and animals. The difficulties in overseeing predator reintroduction initiatives in areas where humans predominate have been brought to light by these recurrent occurrences.
There are currently 17 cheetahs in the wild, including 11 cubs born in India, thanks to the cheetah project in Kuno, which was introduced with great fanfare as part of India's ambitious conservation plan. The goal is to establish a sustainable population of the world’s fastest land animal in the subcontinent, where it was declared extinct in 1952. But success depends not just on the survival of the cheetahs, but on how well humans and wildlife can coexist.
Experts note that cheetahs are still adjusting to their new environment. Any form of human interaction — especially direct feeding or watering — can interrupt their natural behavior, make them dependent, or even aggressive. “It’s important to remember that wild animals must remain wild,” said a wildlife official. “Habituation to humans creates long-term risks.”
In light of this, authorities are calling for stricter enforcement of park rules and urging local communities to avoid close contact with the cheetahs. Awareness campaigns are also underway to educate villagers about the dangers of human interaction and the importance of supporting the cheetahs’ natural adaptation process.
While the image of a man offering water to cheetahs may linger in public memory as a gesture of kindness, forest officials stress that conservation requires discipline, not sentiment. True coexistence comes from maintaining respectful boundaries — not crossing them, even with the best of intentions.
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