How are cheetahs faring in India?

Source– The post is based on the article “How are cheetahs faring in India?” published in “The Indian Express” and “Cheetah Questions” published in “The Times of India” on 18th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment – Biodiversity Conservation

Relevance: Animal conservation and protection

News- Five of the relocated cheetahs and three out of four cubs born in India have passed away.

What is Project Cheetah?

Project Cheetah is an initiative in India aimed at relocating cheetahs.

The objective is to introduce 5-10 cheetahs each year for the next ten years, with the goal of establishing a self-sustaining population of approximately 35 cheetahs.

In South Africa and Namibia cheetahs inhabit enclosed reserves. India’s approach involves allowing the cheetahs to thrive in natural, wilderness settings.

Currently, 11 of the relocated cheetahs are in the true wild, while four are being kept in specialized enclosures.

Unfortunately, five of the relocated cheetahs and three out of four cubs born in India have passed away.

Why is there a need for a medical examination of the death of cheetahs?

One of the dead cheetahs had a wound on its neck. He was infected with maggots. The larvae of the maggots were also found on the radio-collar. There was a chance that chafing from the collar is responsible for infection.

Radio collars pose obstructions for cheetahs. The animal is unable to lick itself. It is compounded by the moisture generated by monsoon.

The injured African animal may have been exposed to parasites that Indian big cats are typically immune to.

Another cheetah died after being attacked by a female cheetah, which took place within their enclosure.

In May, three out of four cubs passed away due to heat and malnourishment, while an adult female succumbed to injuries sustained during a conflict among the animals.

Two other deaths occurred in February and April, caused by renal infection and cardiovascular issues, respectively.

According to the Ministry of Environment, cheetah cubs in the wild experience a significantly high mortality rate compared to tigers and lions. They have a survival rate of only 10%. However, deaths in Kuno, except for one, have occurred among the cheetahs in the enclosure.

What are issues related to the cheetah relocation programme?

Kuno National Park has too little space and prey for 20 cheetahs. It has three cheetahs per 100 sq. km compared to one cheetah per 100 sq. km in Africa. A cheetah’s home range is over 1,600 sq. km of unfenced territory. Whereas area of Kuno is 750 sq. km.

The prolonged confinement of cheetahs in quarantine has had adverse effects on their ability to adapt and has led to psychological adjustment issues.

Unlike tigers and leopards, cheetahs are comparatively fragile creatures and are more prone to sustaining fatal injuries in the wild.

At present, Indian cheetahs do not encounter competition from similar predators like lions and leopards. However, it remains uncertain whether these animals can effectively establish their presence in India over time.