In a heartwarming turn of events, Satyanarayan Gurjar, a forest worker at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India, has been reinstated to his position after a brief suspension. Gurjar found himself in hot water when a video of him offering water to a thirsty cheetahs and her cubs went viral on social media.
The footage, which surfaced last Sunday, showed him pouring water into a metal pan while the mother cheetah, named Jwala, and her four cubs drank from it. While many viewers praised his kindness, park officials were concerned about the safety violation, as protocols strictly limit which personnel can approach these endangered big cats.
“I was suspended but have now been reinstated,” Gurjar told reporters. “I am thankful to the authorities.”
Understanding India’s Cheetahs Conservation Journey
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The incident highlights India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program. Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, but the species was brought back to the country in 2022 when several cats were relocated from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park. This marked the first intercontinental relocation project of its kind, aiming to repopulate the endangered species in their former habitat.
Between 2022 and 2023, a total of 20 cheetahs made the journey to their new home in India. However, the project has faced challenges, with eight cheetahs dying from various causes including kidney failure and injuries sustained during mating. Despite these setbacks, park authorities maintain that 26 cheetahs currently reside in the park—17 in the wild and nine in enclosures.
The Human Side of Wildlife Conservation
Gurjar, who works as a driver at the national park, defended his actions by explaining his deep connection with wildlife. “I can sense the feelings of 99% of animals just by looking at them,” he said. “I could immediately sense that the cheetah and her cubs were thirsty and I offered them water.”
He comes from a family with generations of forest-dwelling experience, which he credits for his ability to understand animal behavior. When interacting with the cheetahs, Gurjar recalled, “I called her by her name, saying ‘Jwala come, Jwala come’. They come only when you call them by their names.”
Forest officials confirmed that staff sometimes offer water to big cats near park boundaries to lure them back into the forest. However, Chief Conservator of Forests Uttam Kumar Sharma had emphasized that only trained personnel are permitted to approach cheetahs to guide them back and prevent potential conflicts.
Safety Protocols and Public Response
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The viral video sparked mixed reactions online. While many initial reports described the footage as “heart-warming” and praised Gurjar for his bravery, others expressed concern about safety risks and urged authorities to create adequate water sources within the park to prevent such close encounters.
After community members protested Gurjar’s suspension, officials decided to reinstate him with a warning. Since this was his first offense, forest authorities instructed him that in future situations, he should contact them rather than intervene personally if he encounters an animal in distress.
Gurjar also offered advice for others who might find themselves face-to-face with a big cat: “If you ever face a cheetah, speak to it with love—don’t hit it or throw stones.”
India is expected to receive 20 more cheetahs from South Africa this year as the conservation program continues to develop. The ongoing efforts represent hope for the species that once roamed freely across the Indian subcontinent but disappeared due to hunting and habitat loss.
