Project Overview
- Objective:
- Establish a cheetah meta-population (60–70 individuals) across the Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape (Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) to ensure genetic diversity and long-term survival.
- Reduce pressure on Kuno National Park by expanding habitats.
- Steering Committee:
- Formed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in May 2023 to monitor and advise on Project Cheetah.
- Current Status:
- 26 cheetahs remain at Kuno (17 in the wild, 9 in enclosures).
- 13 deaths since 2022 (8 adults, 5 cubs) due to undetermined causes (likely stress, disease, or adaptation challenges).
Relocation Plan
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Prey base: Chinkara, chital, nilgai, and chousingha.
- Preparation underway to ensure habitat suitability (fencing, prey monitoring).
- Uncertain if relocated cheetahs will come from wild or captive populations.
- Source of Cheetahs:
- 20 cheetahs translocated in 2022 (8 from Namibia, 12 from South Africa).
- All reintroduced cheetahs are African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), as Asiatic cheetahs are critically endangered and limited to Iran.
Key Challenges
- High Mortality:
- 40% mortality rate raises concerns about adaptation, veterinary support, and habitat readiness.
- Habitat Pressures:
- Limited prey density, competition with other predators (leopards, hyenas), and human-wildlife conflict risks.
- Logistical Hurdles:
- Ensuring genetic diversity and managing meta-population dynamics across fragmented landscapes.
- Ecological Differences:
- African cheetahs may face challenges adapting to Indian ecosystems historically inhabited by Asiatic cheetahs.
Cheetah Biology & Conservation
- Reproduction:
- Breed year-round; gestation ~90–95 days; 3–5 cubs per litter.
- Females mature at 20–24 months, males at 24–30 months.
- Behavior:
- Solitary; communicate via chirps/barks; mark territory with urine, scratches, and cheek rubbing.
- Hunting success rate: 40–50% (use tripping technique with semi-retractable claws).
- Speed:
- Fastest land animal (0–100 km/h in 3 sec; peak speed 120 km/h).
- Protection Status:
- IUCN: Vulnerable (African); Critically Endangered (Asiatic).
- CITES: Appendix I (ban on international trade).
- India: Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
African vs. Asiatic Cheetahs
| Trait | African Cheetah | Asiatic Cheetah |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Africa (Namibia, South Africa) | Iran (only ~12 individuals) |
| Size | Larger, robust build | Smaller, slender |
| Fur | Golden-brown, dense coat | Light fawn, thicker neck/underbelly fur |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable (IUCN) | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |
Way Forward & Solutions
- Habitat Management: Enhance prey density and reduce human interference in Gandhi Sagar.
- Veterinary Support: Strengthen health monitoring and disease prevention protocols.
- Community Engagement: Mitigate human-wildlife conflict through awareness programs.
- Research: Study ecological adaptation of African cheetahs to Indian conditions.
- Meta-Population Strategy: Ensure connectivity between Kuno and Gandhi Sagar for genetic exchange.
Conclusion
The relocation to Gandhi Sagar marks a critical step in India’s cheetah reintroduction project, aiming to revive the species’ presence after its 1952 extinction. While challenges like high mortality and habitat readiness persist, strategic planning, international collaboration, and adaptive management could pave the way for ecological success. This initiative also underscores the urgency of global conservation efforts for critically endangered subspecies like the Asiatic cheetah.
