The 25-month-old cheetah is said to be an offspring of Gamini, a female cheetah translocated from South Africa. Credit: X/@byadavbjp

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:

On International Cheetah Day on Wednesday, two male cheetahs Agni and Vayu were released into an open wild area at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

Male cheetahs were released in the presence of senior wildlife officials associated with Kuno ensuring that all logistical, safety, and security measures were in place to facilitate the smooth transition of Agni and Vayu into their new environment.

According to Kuno officials, the preparation for releasing cheetahs Agni and Vayu started a few days ago. The Cheetah steering committee, headed by Chairman Rajesh Gopal, visited Kuno on Tuesday to review the final preparations for the release.

Cheetahs Agni and Vayu were chosen for the open wild area because they were fit to adapt to the new environment within Kuno. Officials said cheetahs were released into open wild areas marking the success of India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction project.

The movement of Agni and Vayu will be closely monitored to ensure their safety and their capacity to adapt to a new environment. Officials said that Kuno National Park has been fully prepared to support the cheetahs in their new habitat, with the area secured to protect them from potential threats.

Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed their happiness and congratulated Kuno officials for their relentless efforts in making the ‘cheetah project’ successful.

India’s ambitious ‘project cheetah’ was introduced after 70 years of their extinction from the country. The first batch of eight cheetahs translocated from Namibia, were released at Kuno by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2022.

The second batch of 12 cheetahs was brought from South Africa on February 18, 2023. Ever since cheetahs were released at MP’s Kuno National Park located in the Sheopur district of the Gwalior-Chambal region, apprehensions were raised especially when some adult felines died in suspicious circumstances.

However, Kuno authority and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which is the nodal agency for ‘Project Cheetah’ have maintained that even if 50 per cent of cheetahs survive, the project will be considered a success.

Currently, Kuno has a total of 24 cheetahs – 12 adults (out of 20 brought from Namibia and South Africa) and 12 cubs borne on Indian soil. The survival of 12 cubs out of a total of 19 borne at Kuno in the past two-and-a-half-year is a sign of the success of the ‘Project Cheetah’ in India.

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

Sheopur:

Two cubs born to African cheetah Neerva were found dead and their mutilated carcasses were recovered at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, an official said.

A team of forest staffers monitoring the movement of cheetahs received signals through radio telemetry that Neerva was away from her den, following which they along with veterinarians rushed to the spot and found the mutilated carcasses of the two cubs inside, he said.

After inspecting all possible places inside the boma (enclosure), they concluded that no proof was found about the existence of any more cheetah cubs there, the official said.

“No other cheetah cubs were found inside the boma during the inspection, which reflects that Neerva gave birth to only two cubs. The carcasses of the two newborns will be cremated on Thursday as per norms,” Project Cheetah Director Uttam Kumar Sharma said.

The samples from the dead cubs were collected and sent for examination and the exact cause of their death will be known only after getting the lab report, the official said.

All adult cheetahs, including Neerva, and the rest of the 12 cubs at the Kuno park are healthy, the official said. With 12 of those cubs surviving, the count of cheetahs at KNP was last reported to be 24.

Confusion prevailed on Monday over the exact number of cubs that Neerva gave birth to. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav initially shared on social media that she delivered four cubs, but later deleted the post and said the forest department would confirm the exact number of the newborns.

In a new post that evening, Yadav wrote, “Today the Cheetah Project has achieved a major milestone. In Cheetah State Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, a female Cheetah Neerva has given birth to cubs. The Forest Department will soon confirm the number of cubs.” In September 2022, eight Namibian cheetahs – five females and three males – were released into enclosures at the KNP as part of the world’s first intercontinental translocation of the big cats, seven decades after they became extinct in India due to hunting and habitat loss.

In February 2023, a dozen more cheetahs were translocated to the national park from South Africa as part of the Centre’s project to reintroduce the big cats in the country.

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

Bhopal:

Cheetah Neerva has given birth to cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, the state forest department said on Monday.

The exact number of cubs was not specified by the forest authorities.

“Good news from Kuno. Female cheetah Neerva has given birth to cubs in Kuno National Park located in Sheopur district,” the MP forest department said in a post on X.

Last month, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had shared the information that a female cheetah was pregnant and was expected to deliver cubs soon.

Asked about reports on the birth of cubs in Kuno, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Aseem Shrivastava told PTI that he would not be able to comment until a confirmation from the park about the number of cubs born to the cheetah.

Prior to this, 17 cheetah cubs had been born at the KNP.

With 12 of those cubs surviving, the number of cheetahs at the KNP was last reported to be 24.

On September 17, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs – five females and three males – brought from Namibia into enclosures at the KNP as part of the world’s first intercontinental translocation of the big cats, nearly eight decades after cheetahs were hunted to extinction.

In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were translocated to the national park in MP from South Africa as part of the Indian government’s project to reintroduce cheetahs into the country.

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

Bhopal:

A female cheetah is pregnant and expected to deliver cubs soon at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav shared the information in a post on social media platform X late Saturday night and said this symbolises a big achievement for the ‘Cheetah Project’.

On September 17, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs — five females and three males — brought from Namibia into enclosures at the KNP as part of the world’s first intercontinental translocation of the big cats, nearly eight decades after the cheetahs were hunted to extinction.

In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were translocated to the national park in MP from South Africa as part of the Indian government’s project to reintroduce cheetahs into the country.

Yadav in the post on X said, “Happiness is coming to Kuno. A female cheetah is soon going to give birth to new cubs in the Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh, the ‘Cheetah State’ of the country.” “This news is a symbol of a big achievement of the Cheetah Project. This project, started under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, is proving to be a continuous improvement in the ecological balance,” he said.

According to officials, 12 cheetah cubs have so far been born on the Indian soil over the last two years at KNP.

The project has also seen setbacks with eight adult cheetahs and five cubs dying during the same period.

Seventeen cubs have so far been born in India, with 12 surviving, bringing the total number of cheetahs, including cubs, at Kuno to 24 at present, according to officials.

All surviving cheetahs are currently in enclosures.

The cheetahs will be released back into the wild in a phased manner starting October-end, officials said recently.

The Agni-Vayu coalition will be released first in the Palpur East range, while the Prabhash-Pavak coalition will be released in a different area, according to the officials. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

African cheetahs currently housed at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park will be released into the wild starting at the end of October in a phased manner, officials at the Environment Ministry confirmed on Monday.

“The cheetahs at Kuno National Park will be released into large unfenced areas by the end of the month in a phased manner,” an official stated.

The release is being carried out following recommendations from a Standing Committee, and preparations are underway to ensure a smooth transition for the cheetahs into their natural habitat

The ministry plans to gradually reintroduce the big cats, starting with two cheetahs, Vayu and Agni, to monitor their adaptation before proceeding with more releases.

“We will see how they respond in the wild and then we will release more,” an official said.

As part of the first-ever intercontinental translocation of the species, 20 cheetahs were brought to Kuno National Park–eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023.

Since their arrival, the project has faced challenges, with eight adult cheetahs–three females and five males–dying. Despite these setbacks, there has been some success in breeding, with 17 cubs born in India and 12 of them surviving, bringing the current cheetah population in Kuno, including cubs, to 24.

All 24 cheetahs are held at Kuno. Not one cheetah is ranging free in the wild even after two years into Project Cheetah. Authorities have held discussions with other states, including Rajasthan and additional districts in Madhya Pradesh, to ensure coordinated efforts in the rewilding project.

The officials said that state authorities have been informed, and preparation has been done.

Beyond Kuno, India has plans to expand the cheetah population to other suitable habitats. Discussions are also underway for introducing cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, where preparatory measures are being finalized.

“There are some gaps, but we are working to close them. The preparation there has been done to introduce cheetahs,” the official noted.

The Environment Ministry is currently in negotiations with South Africa and Kenya to bring in additional cheetahs.

“We are in negotiations with South Africa and Kenya in this regard and we are also looking to augment prey and remove species which might be dangerous for them,” said a senior official.

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

New Delhi:

African cheetahs brought to India as part of the world’s first intercontinental translocation of big cats will soon be released into the wild, nearly a year after they were returned to enclosures in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park for health check-ups and monitoring, according to officials.

Officials told Press Trust of India that the Centre’s Cheetah Project Steering Committee on Friday decided to release the African cheetahs and their cubs, born in India, into the wild in a phased manner after the monsoon withdraws from central parts of the country.

“Members of the committee and NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) officials conducted field visits to Kuno and discussed the schedule for releasing the cheetahs. While adult cheetahs will be released into the wild in phases once the rains end, the cubs and their mothers will be released after December,” an official said.

All 25 cheetahs – 13 adults and 12 cubs – are doing well, according to the official.

The first batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia was introduced in India in September 2022 and the second batch of 12 cheetahs was flown in from South Africa last February.

Some cheetahs were initially released into the wild but were brought back to their enclosures by August last year after the deaths of three cheetahs – a female named Tbilisi (from Namibia) and two South African males, Tejas and Sooraj – due to septicemia, an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread.

This condition arose from wounds under the cheetahs’ thick winter coats on their backs and necks, which became infested with maggots and led to blood infections, according to the government’s annual report on Project Cheetah.

Officials had earlier told news agency PTI that the unexpected growth of winter coats by some cheetahs during the Indian summer and monsoon, in anticipation of the African winter (June to September), was a major challenge in managing the animals in India during the first year.

“Even African experts did not expect this. The winter coat, combined with high humidity and heat, caused itching, leading the cheetahs to scratch their necks on tree trunks or the ground. This resulted in bruises and exposed skin, which attracted flies that laid eggs, leading to maggot infestations, bacterial infections, and ultimately, the death of three cheetahs,” said SP Yadav, Director General of the International Big Cat Alliance and former NTCA member secretary.

The deaths prompted the steering committee to recommend that “future cheetahs for reintroduction should be sourced from countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Kenya or Somalia, to avoid biorhythmic complications”.

Currently, only one cheetah, named Pavan, is roaming free, with officials noting that he is difficult to spot and capture.

Though such “experimental” projects come with challenges and expected mortalities, experts in both India and Africa have expressed concerns about keeping the cheetahs in enclosures for extended periods.

“The cheetahs are not truly living in the wild, despite spending two years on Indian soil. Cheetahs prefer long journeys and they could be under severe stress,” an African expert who assisted with the cheetah reintroduction in India said on condition of anonymity.

Since their arrival in India, seven adult cheetahs — three females and four males — have died, including four due to septicemia. All these deaths occurred between March 2023 and January 2024.

Seventeen cubs have been born in India and 12 of them have survived. This brings the total number of cheetahs, including cubs, in Kuno to 25, all of which are currently in enclosures.
 

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

New Delhi:

South African Cheetah ‘Gamini’ with her five cubs on Friday morning, enjoyed the rain at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh Sheopur.

Cheetah Gamini was seen playing with her cubs, who also engaged in playful antics with each other.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav shared the joyous moment in a post on X, stating, “Together, they weave a timeless tale of familial harmony amidst nature’s seasonal embrace.”

Cheetah Gamini with her 5 five cubs today morning enjoying the rain in Kuno National Park.

Together, they weave a timeless tale of familial harmony amidst nature’s seasonal embrace. pic.twitter.com/25ZUpLSLHd

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) July 5, 2024

Earlier on March 10, South African Cheetah ‘Gamini’ gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park.

An announcement in this regard was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday.

The Union Minister said that the total number of Indian-born Cheetah cubs has gone up to 13.

“High Five, Kuno! Female cheetah Gamini, age about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today. This takes the tally of the Indian-born cubs to 13. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa,” Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X.

He lauded the officers and staff at Kuno National Park for ensuring a ‘stress-free environment’ for the cheetahs.

“Congratulations to all, especially the team of forest officers, vets, and field staff who have ensured a stress-free environment for cheetahs, which has led to successful mating and birth of the cubs. The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park, is 26. Gamini’s legacy leaps forward: Introducing her adorable cubs!” he said.

Earlier in January this year, Namibian Cheetah ‘Jwala’ gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park.Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, only to be reintroduced through the ambitious project in 2022.

In 2022, eight Cheetahs – brought from Namibia – were introduced in India under Project Cheetah. Subsequently, twelve cheetahs from South Africa were also translocated and released in Kuno National Park in February 2023.

A cheetah translocated from Namibia, died at Kuno National Park in January this year. So far, seven adult cheetahs and three cubs born in India have died since March 2023.

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

New Delhi:

In yet another attack on his own party and the Centre, BJP MP Varun Gandhi has termed bringing cheetahs from Africa and allowing them to die “cruelty and negligence”, and called for a focus on conserving India’s endangered species.

Mr Gandhi’s remarks come in the backdrop of nine cheetah deaths in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park in a span of five months, and amid reports of the next batch of the big cats being brought from South Africa and introduced into the state’s Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

As part of Project Cheetah, the first batch of the big cats, brought from Namibia, had been released in Kuno National Park by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday –  September 17 – last year. Sunday will be the first anniversary of Project Cheetah. 

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Gandhi tagged a report on the another batch of cheetahs and said, “Importing cheetahs from Africa and allowing nine of them to die in a foreign land is not just cruelty, it’s an appalling display of negligence. We should focus on conserving our own endangered species and habitats rather than contributing to the suffering of these magnificent creatures.”

Importing cheetahs from Africa and allowing nine of them to die in a foreign land is not just cruelty, it’s an appalling display of negligence.

We should focus on conserving our own endangered species and habitats rather than contributing to the suffering of these magnificent… https://t.co/atB0hFE8wC

— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) September 16, 2023

“This reckless pursuit of exotic animals must end immediately, and we should prioritise the welfare of our native wildlife instead,” his post said. 

This is far from the first time that the MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit has attacked his own party or a government headed by the BJP. At an event in Uttar Pradesh last month, he had asked people not to disturb a sadhu (ascetic) and said nobody knows “when ‘maharaaj ji’ will become the chief minister”.

The ascetic’s phone had started ringing, but Mr Gandhi had stopped BJP workers from asking him to switch it off.  “Please do not not stop him, never know when ‘maharaaj ji’ will become the chief minister. Then what will happen to us?” he had been quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The joke was seen as a dig at the government in Uttar Pradesh.  

Kuno National Park has seen the reintroduction of 20 adult cheetahs since September last year, and four cubs have been born there since then. Nine of the cheetahs, including three cubs, had died in a span of five months till early August this year. 

Some experts had attributed the cheetah deaths to the use of sub-standard radio collars, but the government had dismissed the charge as “speculation and hearsay without scientific evidence”.

Hearing a petition on the deaths, the Supreme Court had said last month that there was no reason to question the government on the moves being made to reintroduce cheetahs in India.

In an interview with PTI, Project Cheetah head SP Yadav said that the next batch of cheetahs will be imported from South Africa and introduced in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, which will be ready to welcome them by the end of the year.