Cheetah Dies in Kuno National Park from Suspected Drowning

Syllabus: Environment Conservation

Source: Th

Context: Pavan, a cheetah from South Africa and Namibia, has died, marking the eighth fatality among the 20 cheetahs brought to India.

About Cheetah:

• ‘Cheetah’ (*Acinonyx Jubatus Venaticus*) originates from Sanskrit and means ‘the spotted one’.

• The Cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world.

• Its historical range includes the majority of Sub-Saharan Africa and extends eastward to India.

• It is the only large carnivore that went ‘Extinct’ in India due to overhunting and habitat loss.

• The last cheetah died in the Koriya district of present-day Chhattisgarh in 1947 and the species was declared extinct in 1952

• According to the Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) “Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India,” 50 wild cheetahs that are ideal for starting a new cheetah population would be imported as a founder stock over five years initially.

Evaluation of the Cheetah Reintroduction Program in India

Successes:

• Reintroduction Milestone:

• The program marked the historic reintroduction of cheetahs into India after they were declared extinct in the country in 1952. The initial release and adaptation of cheetahs in Kuno National Park signified a significant step in wildlife conservation.

• The program marked the historic reintroduction of cheetahs into India after they were declared extinct in the country in 1952.

• The initial release and adaptation of cheetahs in Kuno National Park signified a significant step in wildlife conservation.

• Local Economic Impact:

• The project contributed positively to local communities by generating jobs and boosting land values around Kuno. No incidents of human-cheetah conflict were reported, suggesting successful coexistence.

• The project contributed positively to local communities by generating jobs and boosting land values around Kuno.

• No incidents of human-cheetah conflict were reported, suggesting successful coexistence.

• Initial Breeding Success:

• The birth of four cheetah cubs in India, despite challenges, highlighted the potential for future breeding success.

Challenges:

• High Mortality Rate:

• This was the only free-ranging cheetah to have survived in Kuno. With this death, KNP is left with 24 cheetahs, including 12 adults and as many cubs, indicating serious setbacks. The low survival rates of cubs further emphasize the challenges of adapting to the new environment.

• This was the only free-ranging cheetah to have survived in Kuno. With this death, KNP is left with 24 cheetahs, including 12 adults and as many cubs, indicating serious setbacks.

• The low survival rates of cubs further emphasize the challenges of adapting to the new environment.

• Inadequate Home Range Establishment:

• The inability of cheetahs to establish permanent home ranges in Kuno, with most confined to enclosures, raises concerns about their long-term adaptation and survival in the wild.

• Integrity and Ethical Issues:

• The use of captive-raised cheetahs and ethical concerns about India’s international wildlife commitments (e.g., the CITES vote) have affected the program’s credibility.

• Ecological and Environmental Challenges:

• Kuno’s lower-than-expected prey density and carrying capacity pose significant challenges to sustaining a large, genetically viable cheetah population. The impact of circadian rhythm differences, leading to issues like thick coats during Indian summers, highlights the challenges of translocating cheetahs from different hemispheres.

• Kuno’s lower-than-expected prey density and carrying capacity pose significant challenges to sustaining a large, genetically viable cheetah population.

• The impact of circadian rhythm differences, leading to issues like thick coats during Indian summers, highlights the challenges of translocating cheetahs from different hemispheres.

• Need for a Meta-Population Approach:

• The realization that Kuno alone cannot support a self-sustaining cheetah population necessitates a shift towards managing a meta-population across central and western India, which is complex and resource-intensive.

Conclusion:

The Cheetah Reintroduction Program in India has achieved some notable successes, such as initial reintroduction efforts and positive economic impacts. However, significant challenges remain, including high mortality rates, environmental and ethical concerns, and the need for a broader, more sustainable approach to cheetah conservation. The program’s future success will depend on addressing these challenges and adapting strategies to ensure the long-term viability of cheetahs in India.

Prelims Link:

Consider the following: (UPSC 2012)

• Black-necked crane

• Flying squirrel

• Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)