8 Namibian wild cheetahs were reintroduced in Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) after 70 years of extinction. Want to know further details? Check the article below.
The Asiatic cheetah was the native species of cheetah in India until it became extinct in 1952. Exclusively about 12 Asiatic cheetahs remain in the wild today, and they are found only in Iran.
The majority of the surviving 7,000 big cats in the world are African cheetahs, including the ones that have recently arrived in India.
Cheetah Reintroduction Project
The cheetah, a member of the genus Panthera, Puma, and Acinonyx, will be the fifth of the world’s seven big cats to have a home in India. The other four are Tiger, Lion, Leopard, and Snow Leopard.
In 2009, India’s then-environment minister approved a plan to reintroduce cheetahs, but the Supreme Court rejected it in 2013. The government revived the concept in 2017, and the SC approved the action in 2020 on “an experimental basis.”
Eight African cheetahs from Namibia are translocated to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
This will be the first time a huge carnivore has ever been moved from one continent to another.
The goal of the transfer is to create a cheetah metapopulation that will aid in the animal’s global conservation as well as restore India’s historical evolutionary balance.
The conservation of the Cheetah will revive grassland forests and their biome and habitat, much like Project Tiger has done for forests and all the species found in them.
About Cheetah
The cheetah has a long history in the country; in Chaturbunj Nala in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, a Neolithic cave painting depicting a “slender spotted feline being hunted” was discovered.
The Sanskrit term “Chitrak,” which translates to “the spotted one,” is said to be the source of the name “cheetah.”
It is believed that the cheetah disappeared from the landscape in 1947 and they were brutally killed and hunted down in India. The Indian government formally declared the cheetah extinct in 1952.
The cheetah has become extinct in 14 other countries since the 1940s, including Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Morocco, Syria, Oman, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Ghana, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Asiatic Cheetah
The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), also known as the Iranian cheetah, is a critically endangered subspecies of cheetah that once ranged widely across the Middle East, Central Asia, and India. Today, it survives only in small pockets in Iran.
- Historically found across India, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Afghanistan.
- The cheetah was once a symbol of royal hunting practices in India, particularly during the Mughal and Rajput periods.
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
- Population: Fewer than 50 individuals remain, all in Iran.
- Primary habitats include semi-arid deserts and plains of Iran.
Reasons for Decline
- Habitat Loss: The expansion of agriculture and urbanization has reduced their natural habitat.
- Prey Depletion: Overhunting and competition with humans have caused a significant decline in prey species.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Encroachment into cheetah habitats has led to conflicts with pastoralists and poaching.
- Fragmented Populations: Isolation has caused genetic bottlenecks, affecting survival.
- Hunting and Capture: Historically, cheetahs were hunted and captured for sport and use in royal hunts.
Conservation Efforts
Iranian Conservation Initiatives
- Iran’s Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project (CACP): Focuses on habitat protection, community engagement, and reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
- Protected Areas: Reserves such as Kavir National Park and Miandasht Wildlife Refuge are key cheetah habitats.
International Support
- Collaboration with international organizations like the UNDP and wildlife NGOs to bolster efforts for Asiatic cheetah conservation.
Asiatic Cheetahs vs. African Cheetahs
- Smaller Population: The Asiatic cheetah is far more endangered than the African subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus).
- Distinct Morphology: Slightly smaller in size and lighter coat compared to African cheetahs.
- Range: Restricted to Iran, while African cheetahs are found across several countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Seven Big Cats
The details about the seven big cats are mentioned below-
Tiger (Panthera Tigris)
- Tigers are listed as “Endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
- The tiger is the largest of all wild cats and the most ancient of the Panthera.
- The tiger is primarily a forest animal that can be found from the Siberian taiga to the Sunderban Delta.
- It is the national Animal of India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and South Korea.
Lion (Panthera Leo)
- In the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, Lion is enlisted as “Vulnerable”.
- Lion is native to Africa and Asia. They live in groups called “Pride” and they usually prefer open forests.
- The lions are among the most recognized animal symbols, from Ashokan Pillars to the entrance of Buckingham Palace.
Jaguar (Panthera Onca)
- In the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, Jaguar is enlisted as “Near Threatened”.
- Jaguar is the largest cat in America and has the strongest bite. Melanistic (Black) jaguars are the most common ones and are often called Black Panthers.
Genus Acinonyx
- It is a unique genus within the cat family with only one living species which is the Cheetah.
- Cheetahs are listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
- A cheetah is the fastest land mammal and its grip helps it to accelerate faster than a sports car (0-100 km/hr in 3 sec.)
Leopard (Panther Pardus)
- The leopard is similar in appearance to the jaguar. They are the most adaptable of all as they can survive in diverse habitats at all altitudes across Africa and Asia.
- Like Black Jaguars, melanistic leopards are called black panthers.
- Snow Leopards are listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia)
- Snow leopards live above the snow line in Central and South Asia.
- Snow Leopards cannot roar and have the longest tail of all.
- It is a state animal of Ladakh and Himachal.
- In the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, Snow Leopards are enlisted as “Vulnerable”.
Genus Puma
- Genus Puma is closely related to domestic cats and this genus has only one extant species which is known as Cougar.
- The cougar is the second largest cat in America and the jaguar is the largest and has a range from the Canadian Yukon to the Southern Andes.
- It has the status of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Why was Kuno National Park chosen for Cheetah Reintroduction?
Both Cheetah and Asiatic Lions share the same habitats semi-arid grasslands and forests that stretch across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
The rainfall, temperature, and altitude in the Sheopur district, where Kuno is situated, are equivalent to those of South Africa and Namibia.
In addition, Kuno contains a diverse population of prey species, including peafowl, wild pigs, gazelle, langurs, chital, sambhar, and nilgai.
Associated Risks of translocation
Genetic Diversity: Difficult to find genetically suitable animals, particularly to build a new population. This can lead to inbreeding and depression in the new population of Cheetahs.
Habitat and Prey Base: Before translocation, the factor responsible for the extinction of the species must be dealt with to secure the habitat in the wild. As per the experts, physical security, enough space, and ample food must be the priorities.
Landscape Viability: Animals (in this case, Cheetahs, as they are relocated) will remain susceptible to demographic and environmental events in such a broken landscape as it can lead to habitat fragmentation.
Current status
The project began on September 17, 2022, when the Prime Minister released a group of cheetahs from Namibia into an enclosure at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
Twenty cheetahs were imported from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno in two batches – one in September 2022 and the second in February 2023.
2023: Since March, six of these adult cheetahs have died due to various reasons. In May, three of the four cubs born to a female Namibian cheetah succumbed to extreme heat. The remaining cub is being raised under human care for future wilding.
- The report related to the program noted that the project has achieved four of these criteria – 50% survival of the introduced cheetahs, establishment of home ranges, birth of cubs in Kuno National Park, and direct revenue contributions to local communities through the engagement of cheetah trackers and indirect appreciation of land value in surrounding areas.
Way Forward
An appropriate strategy for monitoring with veterinary oversight and a scientific assessment of the degree of adaptation is required. A team should be there to monitor the status of cheetahs and other carnivores available in the wild.
Along with that, Various outreach and awareness events should be run to familiarise the locals with the reintroduction to spread awareness among residents and sensitize the youth. A progressive move in this direction is Chintu Cheetah, the designated mascot for the Cheetah reintroduction project.
The protection of native species and their habitat should get equal consideration and to maintain the safety and satisfaction of the locals, it is important to develop a proper rehabilitation policy that includes proper communication between administrative officers and the residents.
Read: Tiger Translocation in India
Article Written By: Priti Raj
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