THE only free-ranging cheetah in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park has died, with officials suggesting drowning to be the primary cause of death. Wildlife activists, however, suspect poaching although there were no external injuries on the Namibian cheetah Pawan, found lying near the edge of a swollen nullah amid bushes around 10:30 am on Tuesday. According to a statement, veterinarians were alerted and a closer inspection revealed that the front half of the cheetah’s body, including the head, was submerged in water.

 

“The preliminary cause of death appears to be drowning. Further details will be provided after the postmortem report is received,” the statement said. The incident comes as India is expediting efforts to bring a new batch of cheetahs by the end of the year. “We are actively engaging with South Africa on the matter. A delegation will visit the country in late September or early October to hold ground-to-ground negotiations,” an official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority told PTI on Tuesday. “We have communicated to South Africa that we want to expedite efforts The Prime Minister had on Monday briefed US President Joe Biden on his visit to Ukraine and conveyed India’s full support for early return of peace to the region through dialogue and diplomacy.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs inastatement later said Modi duringhistelephoneconversationwith Putin recalled his “successful visit to Russia”lastmonthtoparticipateinthe 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit. “The two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine. He underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as well as sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholderstoachieveanabidingand peacefulresolutionoftheconflict,”the MEA said. Thetwoleaders“reviewedprogress” onanumberofbilateralissuesanddiscussed measures to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnershipbetweenIndiaandRussia, it said. “They also exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement said, adding, the two leaders agreed to remain in touch.