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Cheetah Reintroduction in India
Cheetah Reintroduction in India
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Cheetah Reintroduction in India
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Rajasthan: Wildlife lovers against Cheetah project in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
JAIPUR: The exercise taken by the state forest department to introduce cheetah in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) by neglecting tiger management has invited sharp criticism from wildlife experts, animal lovers and environmentalists. Many accused the over-ambitious forest department of jeopardising the tiger reintroduction programme, which started in 2018 with much fanfare. In the campaign ‘Say No To Cheetah’ initiated by wildlife lovers in the state, it was highlighted that the department overlooked tiger management problems and conducted rapid site assessment for cheetah on November 22 and 23, 2020. Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, a local advisory committee member said, “After spending approximately Rs 30 crore of public money to develop infrastructure, tigers were reintroduced at MHTR. Unfortunately, mysterious deaths of tigers and cubs were reported. But, it is not the end of the road. The department should have worked on a recovery plan to relocate tigers.” Due to forest department’s apathy and lack of political will, the lone tigress MT-4 is living a miserable life in an enclosure without a companion. “The four-and-a-half-year-old tigress is living a caged life for past one year. The forest department should have expedited deliberations with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and make efforts to seek permission to bring a male tiger. However, no move was made in this direction,” said a state wildlife board member, who wished not to be named. The technical note, “Assessment of Cheetah Introduction Sites and Proposed Actions, 2021” reads for the area outside the enclosure, MHTR would require investments on a large scale in terms of reducing anthropogenic pressures through village relocation, grazing control of goats and cattle and mitigating infrastructure (roadways and railway). https://m.timesofindia.com/city/jaipur/wildlife-lovers-against-cheetah-project-in-mukundra/articleshow/85961572.cms
African Cheetahs to be experimentally introduced in India in the next 4-6 months
Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa are likely to reach too India in the next four to six months, and be reintroduced in Kuno national park in Madhya Pradesh, Union environment ministry officials have confirmed. The move comes 74 years after the last of the big cats was killed in India. The cheetah was declared extinct in the country in 1952. “We are expecting African Cheetahs to arrive in the next 4-6 months. The Kuno national park is being prepared for reintroduction,” said Gaurav Khare, official spokesperson of the environment ministry. In the first phase, 12 to 15 cheetahs are likely to arrive later this year or early in 2022 but over the next five years 40 to 50 are likely to be reintroduced, SP Yadav, member secretary at the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which is overseeing the project, said “Experts from South Africa visited Kuno and found the habitat suitable for reintroduction. In fact, they said it is better than some of their habitats in South Africa. Reintroduction will take months. First, we need to see if they (the cheetahs) are able to kill prey in a very large enclosure,” explained Yadav. Chital, chinkara and black bucks may be suitable prey for cheetahs in India, according to experts. Yadav said cheetahs don’t necessarily require grasslands, and that the forests of central India and parts of Rajasthan are best suited for them. “Our understanding is that their habitat is varied. The last time cheetahs were seen in the wild was in the Sal forests of Chhattisgarh,” said Yadav adding that “each Cheetah requires around 10 to 20 sq km area. They are small cats so they need a far smaller area than say a tiger. There is no record of a Cheetah attacking humans. Their prey base is mostly small ungulates (hooved mammals).” The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Asiatic Cheetah to be critically endangered. With a historic distribution across southwest and central Asia to India, the Asiatic Cheetah is now only known to occur with certainty in Iran. The population is very small, the IUCN states. Because of extremely low numbers of the Asiatic Cheetah, African Cheetahs, another subspecies are being considered for reintroduction in India but the experiment has been criticised by some scientists. “Firstly, this is not reintroduction but introduction of African Cheetahs to India. They belong to the African continent. The Kuno Palpur sanctuary hasn’t been prepared for cheetahs which need large open areas and small catchable prey. The Chinkara group size in Kuno is very small and Chital group size is also shrinking due to loss of open grasslands. We have to be very cautious of zoonotic diseases also during this experiment. It would have been better if suitable habitat was developed before bringing them,” said Fayaz Khudsar, a wildlife biologist who conducted field research in Kuno in the late 90’s. The SC on January 28, 2020 approved the introduction of the African Cheetah in India on an experimental basis in a carefully chosen habitat which will be closely monitored to assess if the cat can adapt to Indian conditions. NTCA approached SC regarding introduction of African Cheetahs to India. The Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India assessed potential sites and as long back as 2010 recommended Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh; Shahgarh landscape in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan); and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh for introduction of the African Cheetah. In 2013, SC imposed a stay on introduction of African Cheetahs to Kuno because it was an ideal habitat for the Asiatic Lion. The Asiatic cheetah was driven to extinction in India and the genetically very similar African cheetah which numbers about 12000 wild individuals, was favoured as seed stock for reintroduction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) whose opinion was sought by the Government in this regard, approved this proposal according to a note by Wildlife Trust of India. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/african-cheetahs-to-be-experimentally-introduced-in-india-in-the-next-4-6-months-101631015333563.html
Now Cheetahs will come from South Africa in the new year itself, in view of the delay in preparations, the Ministry of Forest and Environment took the decision
The plan to bring cheetahs from South Africa has been postponed for five-six months. Now they can be brought only by February-March next year, first in November, 10-12 cheetahs were to be brought from South Africa in the first consignment. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has postponed the plan to bring cheetahs, due to lack of preparation in Kuno Palpur Sanctuary and surrounding areas of Madhya Pradesh. These cheetahs are to be kept only in the Kuno Palpur Sanctuary and surrounding areas of Madhya Pradesh. The preparations could not be completed due to heavy rains. Although, according to a senior official associated with the scheme, the preparations for the sanctuary have definitely been delayed due to the rains, but it is not such a big issue, it can be done quickly after the rains stop. The major reason for this is the recent incidents of violence between the Indian community and local people in South Africa, due to which there is an atmosphere of protest against Indians there. At such a time, there could be opposition to bringing cheetahs as well. The South African administration had also suggested to go ahead with this plan for some time. A total of 30-35 cheetahs will be brought Under this plan to settle cheetahs in the country, about ten to twelve cheetahs are to be brought from South Africa in the first batch. These will first be placed in the enclosure. At present, 30 to 35 cheetahs are to be brought under this scheme. Under this, there was a plan to bring the first consignment of cheetahs by November. A team of Indian wildlife experts was to visit South Africa in September before the cheetahs were brought in. It is worth noting that along with Kuno Palpur, there are plans to keep cheetahs in three to four more sanctuaries of the country. These include Nauradehi in Madhya Pradesh and Bhainsrodgarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan. https://m.jagran.com/news/national-union...17606.html
After 74 years, African cheetah will be populated again, this type of exercise is going on in Rajasthan
The exercise to repopulate the African Cheetah, which was extinct from India about 74 years ago, has been started in India. In this exercise, efforts were being made to repopulate the cheetahs in the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. At present, the proposal to bring 10 cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh by November this year has got the green signal. Since then, it was believed that efforts to settle cheetah in Rajasthan have been foiled, but in response to a question asked by MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur in the assembly, the Forest Department has made it clear that in the state. There is still hope of repopulating the cheetah. Questions were raised in the assembly regarding this. The question was asked whether the government is taking initiative to establish cheetah in the state with the Government of India? In response to this, it was said that in order to obtain consent from the State Government, the letter of Chief Wildlife Warden, Rajasthan, Jaipur has been approved to conduct a survey from 06 October 2020 to find out the possibilities of settling cheetah in Rajasthan. In response, it was said that Mukandra Tiger Reserve, Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhaisrodgarh Wildlife Sanctuary area can be made suitable for cheetah settlement. It is clear from the question made in the assembly and the answer of the forest department that the efforts to settle the cheetah in the state are not completely over yet. Forest Minister Sukhram Vishnoi himself has told Nyuj 18 that efforts are on to bring cheetahs to Rajasthan. He is also talking to the Center for this and has also spoken to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for help in the matter. DN Pandey, the head of the state forest department, said that whatever is necessary will be done to bring cheetahs. There was a time when Rajasthan Cheetah was found in abundance. The habitat of the cheetah used to be in the open grasslands and its favorite prey include chinkara deer and black deer are also present in abundance in many parts of the state. The then Head of Forest Force UM Sahai, who visited the state along with MK Ranjit Singh, the chairman of the committee constituted to bring cheetahs to Rajasthan, told News18 that the crisis on the existence of cheetahs in the world is deepening. Efforts are being made to repopulate them in those areas where cheetahs used to live earlier. Fortunately, many areas of Rajasthan are still worthy of being re-populated there. Open grasslands are also present here for the free movement of cheetahs, while chinkara and black deer are also present in sufficient quantity for their hunting. However, in the first phase, 10 cheetahs are being brought to Madhya Pradesh. In this sequence, a total of 50 cheetahs are to be brought in the country and settled. Translated from google https://hindi.news18.com/news/rajasthan/...41036.html
Madhya Pradesh: Covid in South Africa delays cheetah translocation, expected by December end
Bhopal: A formidable third wave of Covid-19 in South Africa has further delayed the translocation of cheetah to India, which is now expected to take place by December end. Forest department principal secretary Ashok Barnwal said a six-member team of forest officials from Palpur Kuno Sanctuary, which was supposed to leave for South Africa this month, will now visit the country the next month. Hence, the translocation, which was expected to take place in November will now take place by December end this year. “16 cheetahs from South Africa are to be shifted. They have been vaccinated too. But only 10 of them will be brought here in first phase. They will be first put in enclosures to be acclimatized,” Barnwal said. As per forest department officials, the state government had planned to bring cheetah to Madhya Pradesh by November 1, the foundation day of the state, but it couldn’t take place. The officials to visit South Africa will study habitat of cheetahs and their ecosystem to learn how to take care of them in Indian conditions. The team will spend over 20 days in South Africa. The team will include veterinary doctor who will be trained exclusively on medical health of cheetahs. He will be posted at Kuno Sanctuary after team’s return and will keep animals under observation. A report released by Department of Health in South Africa on Wednesday says, “As of today, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in SA is 28.98 lakh with 1,367 new cases reported. Today, 201 deaths have been reported taking the total to 87,417. The cumulative number of recoveries now stands at 2,765 with a recovery rate of 95.4%.” However, another report states that the third wave peaked in South Africa in August, which is now on wane. https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-covid-in-south-africa-delays-cheetah-translocation-expected-by-december-end
Still waiting for permission to bring cheetahs to Kuno-Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh
The enclosures will be ready for cheetahs by December 15, will be able to come by early 2022 Although NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) has given consent to bring cheetah from the countries of South Africa in the Kuno-Palpur National Park in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, but now CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild and Flora). ) i.e. international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora not permitted by treaty. Officials say that in the past, a virtual meeting has also been held between the Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun, the Central Government Committee and the officials of Madhya Pradesh for permission. They believe that until the approval from CITES is not obtained, cheetahs will not be able to come from the countries of South Africa. Wildlife Institute of India has applied for this. It is worth mentioning that Kuno-Palpur has got the status of National Park. A fence is being prepared for cheetahs in an area of five km in Palpur. Five blocks are being built. It will also have 20 CCTV cameras installed. Due to the August floods, many roads were cut in the Kuno forest, a bridge was also washed away, hence the work has been delayed. The target has been set to complete all the preparations by December 15. This is CITES This organization works for the protection of endangered species of wild fauna and flora. This is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). India is also one of its 183 member countries. The objective of CITES is to monitor and act on smuggling of any endangered animal or plant from one country to another. Employees in November, officers to go to South Africa in January In July and September, two teams were to go to South Africa to look after the cheetahs and understand their lifestyle. Teams could not go there due to Corona and violence in Africa. Now the crew will go in November. It has got permission from the central government. In January 2022, a team of other officers including the DFO will go. they say The cheetah enclosures at Kuno-Palpur were supposed to be ready in August, but the work slowed down due to rains and floods. The work of the enclosure will now be completed by December 15. Have applied to get consent from CITES, as we don't want any legal hurdle when cheetahs are brought in. Cheetahs will come only in early 2022. https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/...sh-7074116
Cheetah Project: 60 percent work completed, now officials will go to South Africa
The work of bringing cheetah to Madhya Pradesh has intensified. A special enclosure is being prepared for Cheetah in Kuno Palpur Park, 60 percent of the work has been completed. Two culverts are to be built near the enclosure. Their construction is also starting. The target is to complete the project work by November 30. With this, the preparation for the next phase has started. The top forest officials of the state and the country are going to South Africa on November 7. They will prepare a strategy after discussing with the local officials on the preparation for transporting the cheetah from there. The visit is important because it will decide how the cheetahs will be brought in. Officials of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and officials of the Wildlife Institute of India will finalize the decision in this regard. The team headed to South Africa includes Ashok Barnwal, Principal Secretary, Forest Department, Chief Wildlife Custodian Alok Kumar and officials from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. Work got delayed due to heavy rains and floods Cheetahs were to arrive in Madhya Pradesh this month, but due to heavy rains in August and floods in most of the districts of Gwalior-Chambal division, the project work was delayed. This is the reason why there has been a delay in bringing the cheetah. Now preparations are on to bring cheetah in January or February 2022. Officials will also take a tour of the sanctuary and see what kind of environment the cheetah prefers to live in. Earlier this team was to go to South Africa on 28 October, but the trip was stopped due to the name of the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change being included in the list. Now the minister will go after the return of this party. It is noteworthy that there is a plan to bring 10 cheetahs here in the first phase. DFO, Doctor, Ranger will go next month The second team associated with the project will go to South Africa next month. In this, operators of Kuno Palpur National Park, doctors, forest range officers, forest workers and maintenance staff will be included. The team will stay in South Africa for about 20 days and undergo necessary training on cheetah treatment, their care, human-cheetah conflict situation, among others. In Kuno Palpur, this team will directly take care of the cheetah. https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/...ca-7121192
Campaign to settle cheetahs in the country gained momentum, team of experts will go to South Africa next week
Now you will not have to wait too long for cheetahs. The central government has given a new impetus to this entire plan to bring cheetahs from South Africa. A team of wildlife experts is also going to South Africa next week regarding this. The team will also include officials from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, where final discussions will be held with the government of South Africa on giving cheetahs. According to officials associated with the ministry, the selection of cheetahs to be brought to India will also be done in this tour. At present, about 10 cheetahs will be brought in the first batch. These will include adult male and female cheetahs as well as their young. That is, there is a plan to bring two clans of cheetahs. Meanwhile, preparations have also been almost completed in the Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh, which has been selected to keep these cheetahs. During their visit to South Africa, the team of experts will also present full details of the habitats prepared for the cheetahs. This also includes availability of food of choice of cheetahs. If sources are to be believed, the plan was to bring the cheetahs by the end of November. But the plan was shelved for some time after a dispute between the local people and the Indians in South Africa caught on. After the normalization of the conditions, the central government has given speed to this project again. Under this plan, about 40 cheetahs will be brought from South Africa and Namibia in the next two to three years. They will be kept in different sanctuaries of the country. Significantly, cheetahs became extinct from the country 70 years ago. The central government has declared cheetahs completely extinct from the country in the year 1950 itself. Although several initiatives were taken to bring them after this, but the plan never materialised. At present, the current government showed interest in this and prepared South Africa for it. https://m.jagran.com/news/national-campa...89138.html
It is very important to know the source of the cheetahs, which has a huge impact on their ability to adapt and survive in the new area. Relocated animals experience high levels of stress, even if they have adequate habitat and plentiful prey. It would be nice to find answers to this question. A little over a year ago 4 male cheetahs were reintroduced in Bangweulu Wetlands (Zambia) and 3 did not adapt and perished. It's a game of trial and error and we must expect the worst before having the best. To strengthen this process, the most appropriate, excluding ecological issues, are animals with strong family ties, with no history of predation on domestic animals and conflicts with humans of any kind. What should be sought at first is that this initial group survives and remains in Kuno, even if only a few individuals survive. "If the plan is to relocate 14 cheetahs, they will all be released, none will have to remain in the boma any longer than necessary." I fear that in this process, some dose of domestication may be negatively affected.
It is very complex to know when we can say that a relocated animal has adapted, for many this happens when puppies reach adulthood. For others, it is only over generations that something concrete and permanent is established in the landscape, and ecological indicators are fully identified in the living area of the resettled. Indian professionals should establish a preventive and corrective mitigation strategy where all individuals will be monitored (radiocollared). Another point is that Kuno would be just the first metapopulation in evolution, and new reintroductions and introductions should be part of this complex process that will be to have this animal once again part of the predator network in India. The spotlight will shine for Kuno if this adaptation is successful, but we must understand that we must wait a long time before recognizing that this reintroduction has been beneficial to the ecosystem and people. The tourist appeal must not override the science of conservation. Furthermore, it will be a great experience...success or failure many will draw valuable lessons that can be used in the conservation of other local predators, as an indication of improved habitat management.
The family of cheetal is increasing to settle African cheetahs
Mandsaur (Rep. of New Zealand). However, in the first phase, African cheetahs are not being brought to the Gandhisagar Sanctuary, spread over the border of Mandsaur district and Rajasthan, which is about 323 sq.km. But work is going on to create a conducive environment for cheetahs. A target has been set to leave 500 cheetals here for the food of the cheetahs. Out of this, 244 cheetals have been brought so far. In the intervening night of Thursday-Friday, 48 cheetals were also released. Cheetals are being caught and brought from Narsinghgarh sanctuary of Rajgarh district by Boma method. The previously released cheetals have also become used to the environment here. Later, the roar of the tiger can also resonate with the cheetahs here. Gandhisagar Sanctuary is spread over a total area of 368.62 sq km including 181 sq km in Mandsaur district and 187 sq km in Neemuch district. The second highest number of vultures have been found here in the state. There are more than 226 species of birds. However, in the race to settle African cheetahs in India, Gandhisagar Sanctuary has lagged behind Noradehi Sanctuary of Sheopur. However, still the forest department has not given up hope and chitals are being brought here and released. The grasslands are in a good condition for cheetahs to settle here like in Africa. The government has set a target of releasing 500 cheetals in Gandhisagar and till Saturday 244 cheetals have been released. here it is special Gandhisagar Sanctuary has 70 species of trees, 23 species of herbs and shrubs, 9 species of creepers and parasites, 16 species of grasses and bamboos, 18 of mammals, 226 of birds, 14 of fishes, 17 of reptiles, 5 of amphibians, There are more than 15 species of butterflies. Wildlife census will be done in 2022 In the Gandhisagar forest area, there are more than 15 species of wild animals including fox, jackal, wild cat, bear, chinkara, leopard. Efforts are being made to continuously increase the number of wild animals here. Preparations have started for the census of wild animals in Gandhisagar Sanctuary in 2022. Training has also been given to the employees regarding the census of wild animals. Earlier the calculation was done in 2018. Almost all types of wildlife are present in Gandhisagar Sanctuary. From fox to sohi, sonkutta were also met in the sanctuary. The number of leopards was also 44. Officials say that continuous efforts are going on from the headquarters to the local level for the protection of wildlife and other arrangements. Now it is expected that the number of wild animals will increase in the census to be done in 2022. For the protection of wild animals, along with the construction of boundary wall, the grass field is also being prepared. State the types and footprints of animal count August training for the All India Wildlife Census 2022 has also been done under the Forest Department in Gandhisagar. Theoretical and practical training was given to the master trainers who came from seven forest divisions Alirajpur, Dhar, Jhabua, Ratlam, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Neemuch. In this it was told how to go to the sanctuary and count the wild animals. The types of counting of carnivorous wild animals, their footprints have been given. Along with this, other information related to the calculations has also been given to the teams. Translated from google https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/mandsaur-the-family-of-cheetal-is-increasing-to-settle-african-cheetahsso-mandsaur-news-mp-7126636?fbclid=IwAR0jRyklHVaQaJeic1-MnqxRvQcvghPYM3MjkihVnROagQA_yQPq0p88HoU
Interesting to know that the sanctuary of Gandhisagar is being prepared. Good to know that, concurrently with the local Kuno initiative, the Wildlife Institute is crafting new introductions in Madhya Pradesh, which may dissuade many opinions about Kuno and his safari project, into a national cheetah reintroduction project also by other states in the nation.
When an action is already being put into practice, and it is no longer any use discussing the reasons for conservation or tourism as the engine of this process, the question of maximizing issues that favor the project's success remains. South Africa has good projects for metapopulation of cheetahs, in part by private initiative with support from SANParks. Namibia has the largest population of free-ranging cheetahs, as well as the largest population in livestock farming areas in the center and northwest of the country. But there are also many conservation projects that are debatable as to the real goals achieved, such as the sanctuaries of Naankuse and Harnas, which have many rescued cheetahs. However many become accustomed to the excessive time on site, and individuals from both initiatives can be used to relocate to India, which may not be the most suitable. In January 2021, a family of adapted desert lions were rescued for Naankuse (with MEFT authorization) as they were too emaciated by severe drought. However, after 11 months they remain in Naankuse, instead of being returned to their natural swath of occupation and free life. I tried to find information on where the cheetahs will come from and I found nothing. There are many issues that go unnoticed by the vast majority, and one of the most sensitive are local pathogens. It is not a matter of deterring by presenting problems, but rather showing how a continental translocation must have serious health measures that are predictive of the success of the relocated animal, as well as keeping local ecosystem health intact. This LINK study addresses the seroprevalence of viral pathogens in free and captive cheetahs in Namibian Farmlands. This other LINK deals with the discoveries of cheetah "communication centers" in Namibia's agricultural environments. Knowing the ecological demands of cheetahs will be a maximizing factor for assertive measures that should be incorporated into monitoring when released in Kuno and other protected areas.
International trade nod may delay cheetah translocation in Madhya Pradesh further
BHOPAL: The execution of world’s first intercontinental ‘South Africa-Madhya Pradesh Cheetah translocation project’ may take longer than expected as approval of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is needed. Eight cheetahs, half of them males, are to be shifted from South Africa to MP’s Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in the first phase of the project. Sources say this project cannot take off without consent of the agency. CITES is a treaty between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. It was drafted following a resolution at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1963, which entered into force on 1 July 1975. “Yes, their approval is necessary for this project. But I am not aware if the central ministry has taken it from them. It is the MoEF’s responsibility,” said an IFS officer. Cheetah has been in CITES Appendix-I list since its inception. “Globally, this species is considered ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with a declining extant population of less than 7,000, found primarily in the savannas of Africa. While southern Africa is the cheetah’s regional stronghold, it is considered critically endangered in North and West Africa. A small and remnant Asiatic population exists also in Iran, where it is assessed as critically endangered,” says a report on CITES. Cheetahs face a variety of pressures to their existence in the wild, including habitat loss, hunting of their prey base for bush-meat, illegal international trade and conflict with livestock owners, it added. Cheetahs last spotted in India during 1950s Since the trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders between countries, the effort to regulate it requires international cooperation to safeguard certain species from over-exploitation, they say. In 2019, the SC had given its nod to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s proposal to experimentally introduce African cheetahs in Indian jungles. The last of the cheetahs in the country was hunted down in the 1950s. After an extensive study, Kuno was selected as the ideal location for shifting Cheetahs. The Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia, had expressed its willingness to donate cheetahs to India. According to NTCA, reintroduction of cheetah would be a matter of great conservation significance, as it would be the only large animal that peninsular India has lost in its historical times and bringing focus on country’s most productive yet neglected grassland ecosystem. Weather conditions back home along with Covid-19 and violence in South Africa has already delayed this project to a large extent. TNN https://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhopal/international-trade-nod-may-delay-cheetah-translocation-in-madhya-pradesh-further/articleshow/87956562.cms?fbclid=IwAR3palupezON44WcHr1-J2GGFT1cBPxGqW3L84nWW5dZylLZTpbxfCb9tms
Madhya Pradesh: Omicron scare hits cheetah project
BHOPAL: The worrying new Omicron strain of the Covid virus in South Africa has slammed the brakes on the cheetah translocation project. Principal secretary Ashok Barnwal and chief wildlife warden Alok Kumar were scheduled to fly to the African country on Sunday but have postponed it, said sources. The new variant, classified as one of ‘concern’, will further delay implementation of the ambitious wildlife project – the world’s first inter-continental cheetah translocation. The Madhya Pradesh government has pulled out all stops to bring cheetahs to Kuno National Park, but the process gets stalled by one reason or the other, including untimely heavy rain that disrupted logistics. Recently, a massive vaccination drive for stray dogs was carried out within a 5km radius of Kuno as the translocation was expected this November. The park administration identified 400-odd villages, where vaccination of 1,000 stray, feral and local dogs was carried out so that they don’t pass on any disease alien to the cheetahs’ immunity. A three-member panel has been set up to guide the National Tiger Conservation Authority in translocation. This team is yet to be trained. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-omicron-scare-hits-cheetah-project/articleshow/87970379.cms
Cheetals' shelter in Gandhi Sagar:280 chitals released in the sanctuary, the number of female cheetals more than the male chitals
In the coming days, cheetahs will roar in the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary of the district, but before this, the staff of the Forest Department is engaged in making Gandhi Sagar a chital habitat. For the last one year, the process of leaving the chital is going on here. If chitals make a better living here, then the way for cheetahs to come here will be clear. In such a situation, from developing pasture here for them, they are also being monitored every moment. Chitals are being released here from Narsinghpur to Bhopal Van Vihar. There are more number of female cheetals in it. So male cheetals have also been brought. Efforts are being made to increase the number of chitals to more than 500 and from pasture to water. The departmental staff is working to increase 22 chital and cheetah, 18 female Recently, 22 cheetals were released from Van Vihar in Bhopal in Gandhisagar sanctuary. Of this, 18 are female and 4 are male chital. So far, around 280 cheetals have been released here in the sanctuary. In this, there are about two hundred and fifty females and the rest are male chitals. More cheetals will be released here in the coming days. Growing chital clan In order to bring cheetahs to Gandhisagar, the staff of the forest department is focusing on chital. Continuous efforts are being made to increase the number of chital here for the last one year. Gandhisagar Sanctuary is conducive to many types of wildlife and their numbers are also increasing continuously. In such a situation, now cheetahs are also being brought here. Therefore, the number of cheetal is also increasing continuously. More female cheetals are being released here. The number of female cheetals released so far is 221, while the number of male cheetals is less. https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/ratlam/...14949.html |
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