Sasha’s creatinine levels were extremely high; she had been ailing even before her arrival in India, according to pathology reports
Five-year-old Sasha in Namibia. Photo: Cheetah Conservation Fund
Sasha, one of the eight cheetahs brought to Kuno National Park (KNP) of Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh on September 17, 2022 from Namibia, died on March 27, 2023, a statement by the Park has said.
Sasha had been ailing for quite some time. In fact, Down To Earth (DTE) had reported on January 25 that Sasha was undergoing treatment for renal failure. The prognosis was not good and the chances of survival were bleak, a source had told DTE.
“On March 22, Sasha was found in the park, where she had been released from the quarantine boma. She was not making any movement. She was examined and brought back into the quarantine boma,” the statement read.
A blood sample taken from Sasha revealed that there was infection in her kidneys. Two experts, including the current veterinary officer of Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal examined her subsequently which confirmed the renal infection.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) of Namibia provided Sasha’s treatment history. It showed that her last blood test on August 15, 2022 had shown her creatinine levels to be 400.
“From March 22 to her death five days later, a team of experts including local veterinarians, and Eli Walker of the CCF worked to treat Sasha,” the statement read.
Adrian Tordiffe of the University of Pretoria, Laurie Marker of the CCF, Andy Fraser and other experts were also consulted during this period in order to save Sasha.
DTE had reported in January that five-year-old Sasha was found on a farm near Gobabis, Namibia, in late 2017 in a malnourished state. She was nursed back to health by farm workers. CCF staff moved her to their Namibia centre in January 2018.
However, the statement noted that all other 19 cheetahs — 12 from South Africa and 7 from Namibia — were healthy.
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