The Cheetah Project Steering Committee, established by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in May 2023, has approved the relocation of cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, both located in Madhya Pradesh.
Key Highlights:
- Gandhi Sagar, about 300 km from Kuno, has been identified as a vital site for the long-term conservation of cheetahs.
- The move aims to establish a metapopulation of 60–70 cheetahs across the Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape, which spans Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
- In Phase 1, 4–5 cheetahs will be released into a fenced area in the western part of Gandhi Sagar.
- The committee emphasized cautious relocation, especially due to heat stress risks during road transport.
Background:
- Project Cheetah was launched in 2022, beginning with the translocation of 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa to Kuno National Park.
- The project has encountered challenges, including the deaths of 8 adult cheetahs and 5 cubs born in Kuno, raising concerns over habitat suitability and management.
Concerns
- Lack of training of staffs, as they were seen offering water to a cheetah and her cubs.
- Deficit of prey
(Source: Indian Express)
