Two cheetahs killed two cattle calves near a house in Bamori village in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district and triggered panic among residents living near Kuno National Park region. The attack occurred on the morning of Sunday, 25 October 2026 and has reignited conservation fears about wildlife movement near residential areas.
Villagers said they were now worried about visiting their agricultural fields at night, especially as farmers irrigate their rabi crops during this time of day.
Cheetahs Enter Cattle Shed Near House
According to local accounts, the two cheetahs entered a cattle shed near the home of livestock owner Somla Singh in Bamori village, which falls under Laharoni gram panchayat in Karhal tehsil.
Singh and his wife were sleeping on a cot near the shed when they heard the sounds of the animals attacking the calves. When the couple woke up and saw the cheetahs nearby, they became frightened and fled to safety.
The two calves were killed in the incident. The close proximity of the animals to the sleeping couple has raised concerns among residents about the movement of cheetahs close to homes.
The village is located around 70 kilometres from the Sheopur district headquarters.
Villagers Worried About Going to Fields at Night
The incident has raised fears in Bamori and other rural villages. Farmers said that they often go to their fields at night to irrigate their crops, but cheetahs close to their villages have made them afraid to walk through village paths at night.
Livestock owners are also concerned about the safety of their cattle and other domestic animals. Residents have called for better monitoring of the animals and stronger coordination with the forest department.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by communities living near wildlife habitats, where predators can impact farming activities and livestock protection.
Forest Officials Urge Residents Not to Panic
Cheetah project director Uttam Kumar Sharma urged villagers not to panic, saying cheetahs usually do not attack human beings. If they see the animals around their homes or villages, they must immediately inform the forest department, he added.
According to the official, a monitoring team is keeping watch on the cheetahs around the clock. Compensation is provided under the applicable rules when livestock are killed by cheetahs, he said.
Forest monitoring and timely reporting are necessary to track the animals’ movement and to minimize the likelihood of further incidents close to residential areas.
Kuno National Park and India’s Cheetah Population
Kuno National Park is located in Sheopur district and is the centre of cheetah reintroduction in India. According to reports published on 25 and 26 October, the park was home to 53 cheetahs, including 40 born in India. The national population was 59, with other animals in other wildlife reserves.
The cheetah population is growing and animals are moving through the surrounding forests, so managing the interactions with the neighboring communities is a crucial task for conservation authorities.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Remains a Concern
The Bamori incident has renewed concerns about protecting livestock and safety around villages near Kuno. Forest officials have advised residents to remain calm and report sightings, but villagers want continued monitoring and effective measures to protect their animals.
The immediate task is to track the cheetahs’ movements in real time, reassure local communities and prevent further livestock losses while contributing to the cheetah conservation efforts of India.
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