India’s African cheetahs and their cubs may soon experience the wilderness of Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant step in the ambitious Project Cheetah.
After nearly a year of being housed in enclosures for health check-ups and close monitoring, the cheetahs that were part of the world's first intercontinental translocation of big cats are expected to be released into the wild. The Cheetah Project Steering Committee, responsible for overseeing this ambitious project, has decided to release the cheetahs and their cubs in a phased manner once the monsoon season has ended in central India. As of now, only one cheetah is free-ranging in Kuno.
Project Cheetah was launched with the goal of reintroducing the African cheetah into India’s grasslands. Historically, India was home to the Asiatic cheetah, a separate sub-species, which became extinct in the country during the 1950s. Today, the last few remaining Asiatic cheetahs survive in Iran, where their numbers are critically low.
The project kicked off in September 2022, when eight cheetahs from Namibia arrived in India. This was followed by the arrival of twelve more from South Africa in February 2023. In total, 20 adult cheetahs were brought to India. To date, 17 cubs have been born on Indian soil to females named Gamini, Aasha, and Jwala.
However, Project Cheetah has faced challenges along the way. Tragically, several cheetahs and cubs have died. Currently, only 13 adults and 12 cubs remain. The most recent loss occurred on August 5, when a five-month-old cub died due to a possible spinal injury. Last year, three cubs passed away due to heat stress.
Although the government has attributed the deaths of some adult cheetahs to "natural causes," experts have raised concerns. At least three adults reportedly died due to septicemia, a blood infection. Furthermore, it was discovered that some of the cheetahs had maggot-infested wounds on their backs and necks, possibly caused by radio collars. This led authorities to recapture all the free-ranging cheetahs and place them in fenced enclosures for observation.
Currently, only one male cheetah, Pavan, roams free in the wild. With the monsoon retreat, all remaining cheetahs and their cubs are expected to join him in Kuno.
While the release of the cheetahs is seen as a positive step forward, experts have expressed concerns. These animals have spent nearly a year in captivity, which could affect their ability to adapt to the wild. Additionally, some experts worry that the use of anti-parasitic drugs during their time in enclosures may have hindered the development of their natural immunity against parasites in the wild.
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