Bhubaneswar, May 13 -- Four cubs born to the country's first India-born wild-breeding cheetah were found dead near their den site in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park on Tuesday, dealing a major setback to India's ambitious cheetah restoration project.

The cubs, born on April 11 to female cheetah KGP12 in the Sheopur territorial division adjoining Kuno, were discovered partially consumed by a monitoring team during routine surveillance around 6.30 am. Officials said the cubs had last been seen alive on Monday evening.

Forest officials suspect the cubs may have fallen prey to another wild animal. State Chief Wildlife Warden Samita Rajora termed the deaths an "unfortunate incident."

According to preliminary findings, officials suspect ...