Project cheetah
Kartavya Desk Staff
Reference: Indian Express
Context: Project Cheetah, which saw the introduction of the African sub-species of the wild cat in India, completed two years on September 17.
Background of Project Cheetah:
• Cheetah Extinction in India: Cheetahs were officially declared extinct in India in 1952 due to overhunting and habitat loss.
• Goal of Reintroduction: The project aims to establish a viable cheetah population in central India, restoring ecosystems such as grasslands and savannahs.
• Translocation from Africa: In 2022, the first batch of 8 cheetahs arrived from Namibia, followed by 12 from South Africa in early 2023.
• Cheetah Breeding and Expansion: The project also seeks to promote breeding and establish a metapopulation across various wildlife reserves in India.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Cheetahs are used as an umbrella species to restore open ecosystems, contributing to the conservation of other species dependent on these habitats.
Analysis of Two Years of Performance:
Positives:
• Successful Translocation: 24 cheetahs, including cubs, have survived the initial translocation and acclimatization to India’s environment.
• Breeding Success: 17 cubs have been born within two years, showing potential for population expansion.
• Adaptive Movements: Some cheetahs, like Veera, have demonstrated wide-ranging movements, indicating the possibility of cheetahs adapting to free-range life.
• Multi-location Translocation: Plans to expand the project to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary are underway to spread out the population.
Challenges:
• High Mortality Rate: 8 cheetahs (40% of translocated adults) and 5 cubs (29%) have died due to issues such as infection, mating injuries, and environmental stress.
• Limited Wild Release: Most cheetahs are still in enclosures, raising concerns about their ability to thrive independently in the wild.
• Prey Deficit: The declining prey population, especially chital, poses a major challenge in supporting both cheetahs and leopards in Kuno National Park.
• Interstate Coordination: The cheetahs’ movements across states highlight the need for landscape-level conservation strategies and cooperation across regions.
Way Ahead:
• Prey Base Augmentation: Immediate efforts are required to increase prey density in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar to support the cheetah population.
• Habitat Restoration: Conservation efforts should focus on restoring and protecting grasslands and savannahs, spanning multiple districts and states.
• Gradual Wild Release: Post-monsoon release plans must be carefully managed to ensure cheetahs adapt successfully to free-range habitats. Transparent Project Management: Improved communication with experts and the public is essential for long-term success, especially regarding challenges and strategies.
• Transparent Project Management: Improved communication with experts and the public is essential for long-term success, especially regarding challenges and strategies.
Conclusion:
While Project Cheetah has shown promise through breeding success and acclimatization, the high mortality rate and delayed wild release raise concerns about its sustainability. A focus on habitat restoration, prey management, and effective coordination will be crucial to ensuring the project’s long-term success.
Inta Links:
Cheetah reintroduction project
Prelims Links: (UPSC 2020)
Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
• Kanha National Park
• Manas National Park
• Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Ans: 1