BHOPAL: Despite encountering several challenges, Project Cheetah — an ambitious initiative aimed at reintroducing cheetahs in India – has achieved significant milestones, according to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).
The CCF, with its 33-year history of working with cheetahs in the wild, remains optimistic about the project’s long-term success.
While acknowledging the unfortunate deaths of three cheetahs during the first year, which were factored into anticipated losses (50%), the CCF emphasizes that the project has exceeded initial expectations. The successful birth of the first litter is seen as a positive sign. The CCF affirms that Project Cheetah, being the first attempt to reintroduce the species to India, faces unique challenges without any established precedents. Nevertheless, the international team of scientists, experts, and government agencies involved in the project remains confident about its success.
The future poses additional challenges as more cheetahs are set to be released into unfenced areas of Kuno National Park. The park is home to a significant population of leopards, which are natural competitors of cheetahs. The density of leopards in Kuno National Park is much higher than in African ecosystems, potentially exerting increased pressure on cheetahs. Moreover, the park harbours other large carnivores such as wolves, sloth bears, dhole dogs, and occasional tigers from neighboring reserves. The interactions between cheetahs and these species will offer valuable insights in modern times, according to the CCF.
Based on CCF’s research and previous studies, cheetahs tend to range widely during their initial months in unfamiliar territories. These movements are unpredictable and influenced by various factors. It is possible that cheetahs may venture outside the park and come into contact with human population and livestock. Project Cheetah has developed plans to manage human-wildlife conflicts, including education programmes for local villages surrounding the park and a compensation scheme for farmers in case of livestock losses. These measures aim to minimize retribution killings and poaching. Over time, the CCF believes the cheetahs will establish their territories and settle into their home ranges.
Concerns raised by a group of German researchers from Namibia regarding the cheetah carrying capacity of Kuno National Park have been addressed by CCF. They explain that the precise carrying capacity for cheetahs in the park cannot be determined until the cheetahs have established their home ranges. Cheetah home-range sizes and population densities vary significantly across different African populations, and there is a lack of spatial ecology data for cheetahs in India.
Despite the challenges, the CCF acknowledges that Project Cheetah’s field teams in India are rapidly building their knowledge and expertise in dealing with various veterinary health issues and behavior associated with free-ranging cheetahs. Each lesson learnt increases chances of overall success in the long run. The CCF remains committed to providing ongoing training and support to Project Cheetah officers and field teams in both Namibia and India.
Project Cheetah’s vision extends beyond Kuno National Park, as secondary and tertiary sites are being considered to distribute the cheetah population across multiple locations in India. This approach aims to restore grasslands and develop large open systems across the landscape, expanding the conservation value of cheetahs throughout the country.
While it is too early to label Project Cheetah as a success, the cheetahs have demonstrated their ability to adapt and survive in India thus far. The CCF, with its extensive experience in cheetah conservation, believes that progress is being made in India and remains dedicated to supporting the project’s efforts. CCF appreciates the inquiries received regarding Project Cheetah and offers this update to address concerns about the health and welfare of the translocated cheetahs, the carrying capacity of Kuno National Park, and the availability of secondary sites for cheetahs in India. The organization’s goal is to share its expertise and contribute to the long-term success of the project.
The CCF, with its 33-year history of working with cheetahs in the wild, remains optimistic about the project’s long-term success.
While acknowledging the unfortunate deaths of three cheetahs during the first year, which were factored into anticipated losses (50%), the CCF emphasizes that the project has exceeded initial expectations. The successful birth of the first litter is seen as a positive sign. The CCF affirms that Project Cheetah, being the first attempt to reintroduce the species to India, faces unique challenges without any established precedents. Nevertheless, the international team of scientists, experts, and government agencies involved in the project remains confident about its success.
The future poses additional challenges as more cheetahs are set to be released into unfenced areas of Kuno National Park. The park is home to a significant population of leopards, which are natural competitors of cheetahs. The density of leopards in Kuno National Park is much higher than in African ecosystems, potentially exerting increased pressure on cheetahs. Moreover, the park harbours other large carnivores such as wolves, sloth bears, dhole dogs, and occasional tigers from neighboring reserves. The interactions between cheetahs and these species will offer valuable insights in modern times, according to the CCF.
Based on CCF’s research and previous studies, cheetahs tend to range widely during their initial months in unfamiliar territories. These movements are unpredictable and influenced by various factors. It is possible that cheetahs may venture outside the park and come into contact with human population and livestock. Project Cheetah has developed plans to manage human-wildlife conflicts, including education programmes for local villages surrounding the park and a compensation scheme for farmers in case of livestock losses. These measures aim to minimize retribution killings and poaching. Over time, the CCF believes the cheetahs will establish their territories and settle into their home ranges.
Concerns raised by a group of German researchers from Namibia regarding the cheetah carrying capacity of Kuno National Park have been addressed by CCF. They explain that the precise carrying capacity for cheetahs in the park cannot be determined until the cheetahs have established their home ranges. Cheetah home-range sizes and population densities vary significantly across different African populations, and there is a lack of spatial ecology data for cheetahs in India.
Despite the challenges, the CCF acknowledges that Project Cheetah’s field teams in India are rapidly building their knowledge and expertise in dealing with various veterinary health issues and behavior associated with free-ranging cheetahs. Each lesson learnt increases chances of overall success in the long run. The CCF remains committed to providing ongoing training and support to Project Cheetah officers and field teams in both Namibia and India.
Project Cheetah’s vision extends beyond Kuno National Park, as secondary and tertiary sites are being considered to distribute the cheetah population across multiple locations in India. This approach aims to restore grasslands and develop large open systems across the landscape, expanding the conservation value of cheetahs throughout the country.
While it is too early to label Project Cheetah as a success, the cheetahs have demonstrated their ability to adapt and survive in India thus far. The CCF, with its extensive experience in cheetah conservation, believes that progress is being made in India and remains dedicated to supporting the project’s efforts. CCF appreciates the inquiries received regarding Project Cheetah and offers this update to address concerns about the health and welfare of the translocated cheetahs, the carrying capacity of Kuno National Park, and the availability of secondary sites for cheetahs in India. The organization’s goal is to share its expertise and contribute to the long-term success of the project.