Uday, a cheetah that was brought from South Africa to India as part of the country’s reintroduction plan, is the second cheetah from the program to have passed away.
A cheetah looks on after being sedated, before being flown with eleven others from South Africa to India under an agreement between the two governments to introduce the African cats to the South Asian country over the next decade, at Rooiberg veterinary facility, Limpopo province, Picture: Gallo/ Siphiwe Sibeko
Uday was one of 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa to India in February.
‘During a routine check at around 9 am, Uday was found sitting in a lethargic state,’ an official said on Sunday, according to local media reports. ‘When forest experts approached him, he got up and staggered a bit.’
Read: South African cheetahs to be relocated to the heart of India
The cause of death remains unclear, but forest officials said that an autopsy will be conducted.
The first cheetah to pass away, Sasha, was brought over from Namibia in September of last year and died from a kidney infection in March.
Uday is reported to have lost consciousness two hours after the experts approached it, thereafter transferred to an isolation ward to receive medical care.
Uday died at around 4 pm on Sunday 23 April.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, as one of the reintroduced cheetahs gave birth to four cubs on 29 March.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: John Hume seeks billionaire investor to take over his rhino breeding farm
