Kuno National Park: South Africa defends Project Cheetah, says nothing unusual in the death of cheetahs

The South African government has supported India's Project Cheetah. South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment has said that there is nothing unusual in the death of two cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. These deaths are within the range of mortality expected in such a project.

The department issued a statement saying that in September 2022, eight cheetahs were sent to India from Namibia. After this, 12 Cheetah Kuno were also sent from South Africa. Of these, two cheetahs have died, one from Namibia and the other from South Africa. These deaths are within the range of mortality expected in such a project. Large animal resettlement projects are complex and fraught with risks. As cheetahs are released into the wild, it becomes increasingly difficult to control their daily activities. The department is awaiting the autopsy report of the cheetah's death but there is no indication that the cheetahs have been infected and are at risk to other cheetahs.

South African cheetahs will go to the open forest in two months

The department also said that all 11 South African cheetahs are in larger enclosures. He is closely monitored twice a day. They are wild panthers. Because of this, their behavior, movements, and body condition are monitored from a distance. So that information about their health can be obtained. These cheetahs will be released in the open forest in the next two months. The open forest of Kuno National Park is unfenced and is home to leopards, wolves, bears, and hyenas. Even in Africa, when cheetahs were reintroduced, it was observed that many cheetahs were killed within a year of being released into the wild. Many cheetahs will also move outside the boundary of Kuno National Park. If he is caught again, he will remain under tension. Once the cheetahs recognize their limits, stability will come.

There is an agreement between the two countries

An agreement has been reached between India and South Africa on the issue of reintroducing cheetahs in India. In this, apart from giving cheetahs, South Africa has also assured to provide expert help in their conservation measures. It also includes topics such as conflict with humans. Cheetah Uday, sent from South Africa, died on 23 April. At the same time, Sasha, the female cheetah brought to India from Namibia, died on 27 March. He had a kidney infection in January, which took his life.

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