The investigation into the tragic hit-and-run that killed a cheetah cub in Madhya Pradesh has found a potentially crucial piece of evidence: a tyre with strands of hair stuck to it. This discovery comes nearly two weeks after the incident, which dealt a blow to India's ambitious cheetah reintroduction project.
From CCTV to Crucial Forensic Evidence
Forest department officials, led by Gwalior DFO Ankit Pandey, traced a white car suspected in the collision using CCTV footage from the Agra-Mumbai National Highway. The vehicle was seized, and upon examination, damage was found on its front portion. The key breakthrough was finding a tyre from this vehicle with hair strands attached. This tyre, carefully sealed with the hair, has now been sent to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun for a definitive genetic examination. The analysis will confirm if the hair belongs to the deceased cheetah cub.
A Setback for Cheetah Reintroduction
The victim was a 20-month-old male cub of the South African cheetah named Gamini. The accident occurred on December 7 near Ghatigaon in Gwalior district. In a remarkable and concerning journey, Gamini and her cubs had traversed over 230 kilometres from Kuno National Park towards Gwalior in the preceding months. The cub was struck and killed while attempting to cross the busy highway.
Investigation Hinges on Forensics and Statements
The forensic process faced initial delays due to coordination issues. Investigators from the MP forest department sought help from the police's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to secure the tyre, but the procedure was slowed as the FSL awaited a clear response from veterinary officials at Kuno. The tyre was initially sent to Kuno but was returned with instructions to send it directly to WII for advanced genetic testing.
Meanwhile, the investigative team is focusing on narrowing down the list of suspect vehicles. "We have shortlisted 13 vehicles that passed through the stretch around the time of the accident," stated DFO Ankit Pandey. Notices have been issued to all owners, many of whom have begun recording their statements. This, combined with the pending WII report, is expected to pinpoint the responsible vehicle.
Officials confirm that the case now rests on two pillars: the genetic match from WII and the corroboration of evidence with the vehicle owners' accounts. Until the forensic report provides a conclusive link, the investigation remains open, leaving the quest for justice for the young cheetah unresolved.
