Cheetah Reintroduction in India

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Madhya Pradesh: Two cheetahs released to larger bomas inside Kuno

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Forest department on Saturday released two male cheetahs –Rockstars ‘Elton and Freddie’ into the larger enclosure after approval from the cheetah special task force. Remaining six would be shifted once the leopard is captured, said sources.

All eight cheetahs are likely to be released in the larger bomas by November 5. The special task Force constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for monitoring Cheetah introduction in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh and other suitable designated areas had its meeting on Saturday evening where they decided to release two of them, sources informed. 

As scheduled, cheetahs were to be shifted on October 17 so that they better acclimatize to their new environment and start the prey base to begin hunting, said officers.

Since Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Namibia and other experts wanted more arrangements prior to shifting, the plan was changed. Some issues have to be resolved before they are shifted to the bigger bomas. 

Officers have to go through a very long checklist before considering moving the cheetahs to the bomas. CCF too had reportedly sent a recommendation to the task force. Major concern was to increase the height of internal fences which are less than 2m high. They believe that cheetahs can go over it. 



NTCA had come down heavily on the state forest department over the preparations during the meeting, said sources. The Task Force which is to take all major decisions shall be in-force for a period of two years.



Meanwhile a young female leopard had been giving tough time to the officials. Officers almost believed that no leopards were left inside the enclosures till the young female was captured in a camera trap and her pug marks were found on Wednesday. Fresh efforts are now being made to capture the leopard using snares. 



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