Last Update: February 14, 2023, 10:19 IST
The availability of natural prey within the enclosure helped the cheetahs become accustomed to hunting Indian prey species. (Photo: News18)
While this type of soft-release gives them time to adapt to the new environment, the real test begins when they are freed to hunt on their own in Kuno’s grasslands and open forests. Next batch of 12 cheetahs will come from South Africa
about six months later India Having brought eight cheetahs from Namibia in one of the largest ever transcontinental transfers of a carnivore, it is set to welcome 12 more, this time from South Africa. But before they land, wildlife experts will review whether the first batch is now ready to be released into the wild.
The decision will be taken in an important meeting of the Cheetah Task Force to be held on Tuesday.
Since their relocation, five female and three male cats have remained within the safe confines of ‘bomas’ (predator-proof enclosures) specially built for them in the national park. The availability of natural prey within the enclosure helped the African cats to get used to hunting the Indian prey species.
While this type of soft-release gives them time to adapt to the new environment, the real test begins when they are freed to hunt on their own in Kuno’s grasslands and open forests. On Tuesday the government-constituted cheetah task force will discuss whether the cats are now ready to make the next big leap.
“So far, they have been relatively protected in enclosures, but once they are released into the wild, it won’t be that easy,” Dr YV Jhala, senior scientist at Project Cheetah, told News18. “The next few months are crucial for the cheetahs. Bringing them to India was only an initial step, but the bigger challenge is to ensure they stay healthy and survive.”
The task force will also review the health status of all eight cats between the ages of two and five. While most of them have taken to the environment well, according to officials, one of them – a woman – suffered a serious illness. The female cat developed acute renal complications and survived.
Apart from their health, the members will also review the security status of the entire region and whether it is poaching free to ensure their safety once the cheetahs are released. This is the first time in nearly seven decades that cheetahs are present in India’s wild, and there are concerns. The release of cats will also depend on whether there is sufficient ground available for hunting cheetahs in the area.
Kuno is ready to welcome 12 more
Meanwhile, the Kuno National Park is set to welcome 12 more cheetahs from South Africa on 18 September. Seven male and five female cheetahs will be flown from South Africa to Gwalior, from where they will be taken to Kuno National Park – as was done last time. september.
Upon arrival in India, the cheetahs will be kept in predator-proof enclosures for the first few months and monitored for any disease manifestations in accordance with regulations for the import of live animals. “We have already made 10 additional bomas (enclosures) for the cheetahs. Two of them are in alliance and are likely to stay together,” district forest officer Prakash Verma told News18.
The phase-wise relocation is part of India’s mega plan to establish an independent, breeding founder population of cheetahs in the country. India lost its original cheetah population about seven decades ago due to hunting and habitat loss. After importing 12 cheetahs, India plans to relocate 12 cheetahs annually for the next eight to 10 years.
By bringing back an apex predator, the government also plans to save its prey base, which has some threatened species as well as other endangered species of grassland/open forest ecosystems, some of which are at risk of extinction. are on the verge.
According to government estimates, the national park, spread over an area of 748 sq km in Madhya Pradesh, may currently have 21 cheetahs.
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