Import of Cheetahs in India from Namibia and South Africa has put resident wildlife in a
strange predicament. The overseas candidates were released in specially created enclosures at
Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh where Tiger became extinct decades ago though its
younger cousin Leopard has been reigning as the supreme predator.
Thereby hands a tale!
Rivalry between the two predators is assessed as the reason Cheetahs probably could not find
the new habitat as comfortable as had been envisioned by those who devised the import-plan.
Intriguing: Deficiency of prey base at Kuno is analysed as another discomfiture. Facts
derived by forest authorities about Spotted Deer raise new question marks there.
How to get rid of the Leopards who have been roaming around as the natural apex predator to
let Cheetahs have better respite? And how to step up number of prey base?
Can Tigers be reintroduced in Kuno – to shoo away present population of Leopards and let
Cheetahs roam at more independence there? Will Cheetahs and Tigers co-exist at that parcel
of land, a mix of dry deciduous forest and grass land?
Conservation Times’ team visited this habitat as well others cited as alternate loci to
accommodate more Cheetahs to be flown into India from the same source nations. The
outcome is presented here.
Court order: The Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) became extinct in India
about seventy years ago. Some noted wildlife experts raised demand to have Cheetahs back
in India. As Iran has the last remnant population of this species, and it was unwilling to share
with India, they pleaded for South African Cheetahs to be fetched. The Supreme Court of
India gave its consent to a plea made by Ranjitsinh Wankaner and others.
So, on 17 September 2022, India had the fortune of receiving first lot of Cheetahs from
Namibia and South Africa. With some fanfare, usual with government in the country, the
predators were released in Kuno’s specially created enclosure.
Within two years, the overseas guests faced roughshod: mortalities and some of them
reaching hundreds of kilometres away to remote village areas. New areas were identified to
let them lead better life: Gandhi Sagar grass land in Madhya Pradesh came up as an ideal
zone. However, Leopards roam abundantly, and free and prey base is scanty in this
landscape.
Prey base: The forest authorities have devised a target of procuring 1,500 Spotted Deer to
replenish the dwindling stock at Kuno and also send some to Gandhi Sagar. Not an easy task.
It may drain those habitats of prey. How much time will it take to accomplish it? There is
plan to remove Leopards from Gandhi Sagar to enable cheetahs have freer roaming range.
What certainty that Leopards shall not re-enter the areas to be inhabited by Cheetahs?
Tiger invited: Rajesh Gopal, a former head of Project Tiger in India and currently associated
with Cheetah reintroduction project, opined that bringing Tigers to Kuno would be a
“biological approach.” Officials maintain that Kuno has one of India’s highest density of
Leopards and they cannot be pushed out at ease. Cheetahs and Leopards co-exist with Lions
in Africa. In a landscape frequented by Tigers, they are the natural choice in Kuno,” he
explained.
Wildlife Institute of India’s Qamar Quresh leads the Cheetah Project’s team of scientists. He
adopts a cautious approach: presence of a larger cat (Tiger) would have an impact on
Leopards though one has to consider several other issues such as the potential for man-animal
conflict as well.
Banni, new hope: An estimated 2,250 Spotted Deer have been found missing in Kuno within
a year. About 50 Spotted Deer were preyed upon by the seven Cheetahs there. Largescale
poaching of the deer for bush meat has been ruled out by officials.
Banni grassland landscape has been identified for another new home for cheetahs in India. It
is a vast stretch of semi-arid habitat in Greater Rann of Kutch in Gujarat state. Plan has been
drawn and financial outlay is also earmarked. However, paucity of prey base is categorically
highlighted in that area. So, reintroduce Indian gazelle, how many thousand? From where?
Madhya Pradesh forest authorities have had their experiments with Cheetahs. Now Gujarat
Forest authorities are on way to embrace new ventures for this alien species. The Ministry of
Environment Forest and Climate Change is determined to facilitate the task.
Officially the nation is in mood to enjoy sights of Cheetahs. However, it is not certain when
the overseas migrants shall be finally released in open areas for visitors to reach there in jeeps
to admire the new guests.
Cheetahs causing a stir in India’s wilderness is a new experience for wildlife experts who had
seldom dreamt of overseas wild species to be reintroduced in India. Rave it is on the part of
experts handling such predators.
ALL THIS FOR 12 CHEETAHS
India imported 20 Cheetahs within past two years from Africa. All were introduced in Kuno
National Park. Leopards are the main predators there, also main rivals.
Eight Cheetahs died of various reasons. No poaching occurred. There was no human-Cheetah
conflict reported. Twelve are surviving.
The forest authorities are under pressure to ensure safe stay of Cheetahs at this habitat. New
grassland habitats are also being explored.