Death of Cheetahs in Kuno National Park Raises Concern, Experts Warn of Bleak Future

Wildlife experts have expressed concerns over the future of Project Cheetah in India’s Kuno National Park following the death of two more cheetah cubs. South African wildlife expert Vincent van der Merwe warned that the mortality rate among reintroduced cheetahs is expected to increase significantly in the coming months, potentially reaching up to 50% within the first year.

According to van der Merwe, the mortality rate will be influenced by factors such as territorial disputes with leopards and tigers within the park. While recent deaths were deemed acceptable, the killing of a female cheetah during courtship raised concerns among experts. The project, aimed at repopulating cheetahs in India, has drawn attention to the need for careful management and mitigation strategies.

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To safeguard the reintroduced cheetahs, experts suggest implementing habitat fencing to control access to resources and minimize threats from other animals. Van der Merwe emphasized the importance of learning from previous attempts, noting that unfenced reintroduction efforts have failed in Africa on numerous occasions. Some experts and the Supreme Court have also recommended exploring alternative sanctuaries with adequate space and logistical support.

In light of the situation, Merwe proposed relocating a few cheetahs to Mukundra Hills, a fully fenced reserve, to establish a breeding population. Although the area requires additional stocking with species like black buck and chinkara, the completion of fencing in reserves such as Nauradehi and Gandhisagar would provide three fenced habitats, offering a more favorable environment for cheetahs to thrive.

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