March 20, 2025: Vincent van der Merwe, a world-renowned conservationist and a key figure behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Project Cheetah, was found dead in his apartment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the global wildlife conservation community.

The 42-year-old expert played a pivotal role in India's efforts to reintroduce cheetahs to Kuno National Park, overseeing the complex process of bringing the big cats from Africa and acclimatising them to Indian conditions. He was also the founder of The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI) and had worked extensively across Africa and Asia on cheetah conservation.

Reports suggest that van der Merwe’s body was discovered in the hallway of his apartment with a head injury. While authorities have ruled out foul play, his family has contested the official version, claiming on Facebook that his death was not accidental.

Van der Merwe had been in Riyadh as part of an ongoing project with the Saudi Arabian government to reintroduce cheetahs in the region. His expertise in translocating cheetahs had made him an integral part of conservation initiatives worldwide, and his contributions to Project Cheetah in India were instrumental in the success of the program.

Despite facing numerous challenges and legal hurdles, he had remained optimistic about the reintroduction of African cheetahs to India. His unexpected passing leaves a void in global conservation efforts, and tributes from wildlife organisations and conservationists have begun pouring in.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have yet to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding his death.