Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): After suffering hiccups in its initial phase, the Cheetah Project remains on track despite big challenges. For instance, the adaptability of cheetahs in wild is still a big challenge. During two years of the project, a few cheetahs were released into the wild.
Some of them died while remaining were brought back inside the enclosures for safety reasons. Since their arrival to Kuno, cheetahs have remained inside the enclosures for most of the period, having very little experience of the wild conditions of jungles, terrains and landscape.
“When Cheetah Project was envisaged, criteria of success were chalked out. First criteria said that out of 20 cheetahs brought to Kuno, at least 50% will survive. Against 50% survival perception, 60% cheetahs (12 adult cheetahs) are surviving. Henceforth, first criteria was successful,” retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, wildlife, Jasbeer Singh said.
The second criteria focused on breeding, which also succeeded. Kuno has 12 cheetah cubs, at present.
The third criteria centered on releasing cheetahs in jungles. “I feel that if the prey base of Kuno is increased, then cheetahs will survive in the wild,” Singh said. Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said keeping cheetahs in enclosures for long affected the project. “Risk should be taken and cheetahs should be released into the wild, instead of doing cheetah farming,” he added.
After extinction, cheetahs were brought back to India in a first ever intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore in September 2022. The first batch of eight cheetahs was transported by air from Namibia and was released in Kuno National Park. Currently, Kuno has 24 cheetahs including 12 cubs.
The trial
As cheetah territory is being expanded, making people aware remains a big challenge. When a cheetah strayed to Karauli in Rajasthan in 2023, large number of people came to see it, making rescue operation most challenging.
