New Delhi, August 2, 2023: In a devastating blow to the Centre’s cheetah reintroduction program, another cheetah has been found dead in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total number of big cat deaths to nine within a span of five months.
The latest casualty is a female cheetah named Dhatri (Tiblisi), whose cause of death is under investigation through a post-mortem examination.
The park authorities released a statement stating that out of the 14 cheetahs kept in enclosures (bomas) within the park, seven males, six females, and a female cub are in good health, closely monitored by wildlife veterinarians and a Namibian expert.
However, the recent tragedy adds to the loss of three cubs and other adult cheetahs since the reintroduction of 20 adult cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa last year, initiated under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship program.
Last month, two male cheetahs, Tejas and Suraj, succumbed to fatal injuries within four days of each other. Tejas suffered from traumatic shock after a violent altercation with a female cheetah, as revealed by the autopsy.
Other deaths include female cheetah Sasha due to a kidney ailment, male cheetah Uday from cardio-pulmonary failure, and female cheetah Daksha after a violent encounter with a male during mating attempt. Additionally, three cheetah cubs met a tragic end due to extreme weather conditions and dehydration.
While some experts have raised concerns about sub-standard radio collars used on the cheetahs, the government has dismissed these claims as “speculation and hearsay without scientific evidence.” However, video footage has shown authorities examining the collar and a maggot-infested wound on the neck of deceased cheetah Suraj.
The series of cheetah deaths have raised serious questions about the management and safety protocols at Kuno National Park, prompting investigations and discussions within the wildlife conservation community. The government has denied any lapses in the management of the reintroduction program.
