A file photo of cheetahs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district.
| Photo Credit: PTI

A new study by the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), which examines the ethical, ecological and welfare challenges associated with the translocation of African cheetahs to India, has expressed concern over the translocation of the animals and also raised questions about its scientific merit and long-term viability.

The study, ‘Delineating the environmental justice implications of an experimental cheetah introduction project in India’, was published in Frontiers in Conservation Science.

According to CWS, the study highlights that the translocation of African cheetahs to India has resulted in significant welfare challenges, with a mortality rate of 40%-50% in the first phase of the project, far below the expected survival rate of 85%.

20 introduced to KNP

Under Project Cheetah, so far 20 African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023 were introduced into the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

CWS also said that the cheetahs involved in the project have experienced high levels of stress, with over 90 chemical immobilisations and regular veterinary interventions, raising concerns about their physical and mental health.

It further said that African cheetah populations are already under pressure, with only around 6,500 mature individuals remaining in the wild.

“With an initial mortality rate of 40%–50% in these cheetahs, currently all individuals are being kept in captivity in India, with plans to import 12 individuals annually till a viable population is established. The researchers of this paper argue that the project’s reliance on a continuous supply of cheetahs from southern Africa, is neither ecologically sustainable nor ethical,” it said.

The study was led by Yashendu Chinmayee Joshi, Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, along with co-authors Stephanie E. Klarmann, Blood Lions Non Profit Company (NPC) and University of Johannesburg, South Africa; and Louise C. de Waal, Blood Lions Non Profit Company (NPC), South Africa.

Justice-informed approach

The authors have suggested that a more justice-informed approach would ensure that conservation decisions are based on inclusive, participatory processes, which take into account the diverse values people place on nature.

“Our current approach risks overlooking diverse knowledge systems and values, the nuanced ways in which people interact with nature, their perceptions of wildlife, and importantly, their consent to bear the consequences of such initiatives. Conservation efforts should focus more on their ability to maintain sustainable shared spaces between humans and wildlife, rather than causing further division and distress,” said Mr. Joshi.

Bhopal:

African cheetah ‘Gamini’ has given birth to six cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, and not five as reported previously, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Monday.

On March 10, Yadav shared the information that the five-year-old South African cheetah gave birth to five cubs at the Kuno National Park (KNP).

In a post on his official X account on Monday morning, Mr Yadav said, “Gamini’s legacy leaps forward! There is no end to joy: It is not five, but six cubs! A week after the news of five cubs born to Gamini, it is now confirmed that Gamini, the South African cheetah mother, has given birth to six cubs, a record of sorts for a first-time mother.” The minister also shared the visuals of cheetah Gamini’s six cubs.

Gamini’s legacy leaps forward!

There is no end to joy: It is not five, but six cubs!

A week after the news of five cubs born to Gamini, it is now confirmed that Gamini, the South African cheetah mother, has given birth to six cubs, a record of sorts for a first-time mother.… pic.twitter.com/03ocLegBu0

— Bhupender Yadav (मोदी का परिवार) (@byadavbjp) March 18, 2024

With this, the cheetah count at the KNP has increased to 27, including 14 cubs.

In March last year, cheetah Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs but only one managed to survive. Jwala gave birth to her second litter of four cubs in January this year, which was followed by cheetah Aasha delivering three cubs.

Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released into enclosures at the KNP on September 17 2022.

In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa. Gamini is part of the group brought from South Africa.

Since March last year, 10 cheetahs, including three cubs born to Jwala, have died.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)