Namibian Cheetah ‘Oban’ Moves Out of Kuno National Park Again, Spotted in Forest, 15 Km From Safe Zone (Watch Video)
This time, it has ventured much further, putting the forest officials accountable to ensure his safety on their toes. "Oban is out of KNP's core area of 748 sq km, and its surrounding 487 sq km buffer zone since Sunday and is in neighbouring Shivpuri forest division," a forest official told IANS.
Bhopal, April 18: Five year-old Oban - one of the eight Namibian cheetahs - has once again slipped out of Kuno National Park (KNP) and was spotted in neighbouring Shivpuri forest division around 15 km from his habitat.
According to forest officials at KNP, male cheetah has moved out of enclosures for the second time within the span of two weeks. Last time, Oban was brought back to KNP from a nearby farm at village after five days of efforts by forest officials and was tranquilised. Last time, Oban had moved out of KNP on April 2 and was brought back on April 6. Cheetah Oban Strolls Out of Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh for Second Time This Month.
This time, it has ventured much further, putting the forest officials accountable to ensure his safety on their toes. "Oban is out of KNP's core area of 748 sq km, and its surrounding 487 sq km buffer zone since Sunday and is in neighbouring Shivpuri forest division," a forest official told IANS.
Forest officials said that this time they will not tranquilise him for time being as the process may affect his health. Officials have observed that Namibian cheetahs seem to prefer water-logged fields and river valleys over dense forest forests.
Cheetah Oban Strays Out of KNP for Second Time
Last week, Oban was spotted sitting in the cool patches of the river valley or under the shade of trees before exploring beyond the protected area under KNP on Saturday night. However, by next morning, he was spotted around 15 km away from the protected zone. Cheetah Oban From Namibia Ventures Out of Kuno National Park, Enters Jhar Baroda Village in Vijaypur Leading To Panic Amongst Villagers (Watch Video).
However, the officials claim that Oban does not pose a threat to humans, nor do humans pose a threat to it. So there will be no need for tranquilisation to bring it back. They said Oban's movements are being monitored to locate his whereabouts.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 18, 2023 10:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).