Cheetah Oban ventures to tigers territory inside Madhav, officers exited to see interaction | India News

BHOPAL: Oban the Cheetah, now dubbed as ‘ghumakkad’ or the wanderer, has embarked on yet another exciting escapade as it has made its way to Madhav National Park from Kuno National Park.
Forest officials and the Team Cheetah project are thrilled at the possibility of a potential interaction between the two different species. Sources indicate that the Oban’s arrival at the Madhav National Park is seen by some officials as a ‘second home’ for the magnificent cheetah.
Having covered a distance of around 35 kilometers, Oban arrived at Madhav National Park, where three tigers were recently released into the wild, adding more excitement to the possibility of an encounter between the different species. Oban’s exploratory journey has not gone unnoticed, as it has captured the attention and curiosity of locals who are keeping a safe distance while admiring the beauty of the magnificent cheetah.

Notably, the Namibian native seems to have developed a fondness for waterlogged fields and river valleys over dense forests, as reported by foresters. Over the last 5-6 days, Oban has been spotted frequently in these areas, sometimes sitting in cool patches of the river valleys or under the shade of trees. However, it decided to venture beyond the protected area on Saturday night, covering 10 kilometers during the night and 5 kilometers during the day, and has been located near a village.
Forest officials are keeping a close watch to ensure the safety of both the cheetah and the local residents. The decision to tranquilize Oban will be taken only if there is any threat to the animal or the humans in the residential areas, as repeated tranquilization can be stressful for the magnificent creature and affect its health.
In conclusion, Oban’s thrilling journey continues, captivating the imagination of people and officials alike, with the possibility of an encounter with tigers at Madhav National Park, adding to the excitement and wonder of this magnificent creature’s exploratory journey.