An eighth cheetah death occurred in India’s Kuno National Park last Friday, once again raising concerns about a controversial project that reintroduced the big cats to the country 10 months ago. Veterinarians from South Africa, who are closely involved in the project, attribute the latest death to an infestation under a cheetah’s radio collar, caused by humid and wet weather conditions in central India.
The Indian government has dismissed claims that the cheetah deaths were due to an infection under their radio collars, labeling it as “speculation and hearsay.” However, maggot wounds, dehydration, infighting, and kidney disease have been identified as some of the causes of death for both adult cheetahs and cubs born earlier this year.
In addition to the recent death, another adult cheetah was found dead last week, with a similar infestation suspected as the cause. Local forest authorities are now attempting to tranquilize the remaining cheetahs to check for any diseases, as local media reports suggest that more animals may be affected.
One prominent South African veterinary wildlife specialist involved in the relocation of the cheetahs, Adrian Tordiffe, expressed frustration, claiming that the project treated vets as mere “window dressing” rather than consultants on health issues. He noted a shift in communication following the removal of Y.V. Jhala, the Indian scientist who developed the reintroduction program, from his role in February.
The project has faced scrutiny even before the cheetahs’ arrival, as wildlife experts questioned the feasibility of their survival in India. The controversies surrounding the project intensified as multiple cheetahs died and many strayed outside the national park, requiring repeated tranquilization and return.
India’s grasslands conservation policies, including the relocation project, have also been criticized as inadequate, according to Abi T Vanak, a scientist at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. Vanak highlighted the necessity to protect not only charismatic species like tigers and elephants but also grasslands and the various species that depend on them.
Moreover, conservation efforts for critically endangered and other endangered species that rely on Indian grasslands, such as the Great Indian Bustard, black buck, chinkara, and lesser florican, should receive attention and funding, rather than diverting resources solely to the cheetah project.
The Kuno National Park, where the cheetahs are currently situated, was originally intended as a relocation site for lions from the Gir forest in Gujarat. However, the project has faced opposition as some argue that it is a delay tactic to prevent the lion translocation.
A court ruling ordered the transfer of lions to Kuno National Park in 2013, but the lions remain in Gujarat, and the plans are under review. Ravi Chellam, a wildlife biologist and conservation scientist with extensive experience in big cats, criticized the cheetah project, stating that it prioritizes the stall of lion translocation over cheetah conservation.
Despite the challenges and controversies, Adrian Tordiffe, the South African veterinarian involved in the project, remains optimistic. He acknowledges that some deaths are to be expected but believes that active management improvements can still lead to the project’s success.
Cheetah populations are dwindling globally, with less than 7,000 adults remaining in the wild, occupying less than 9% of their original range. The long-term goal of the Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative, managed by Vincent van der Merwe, is to establish a cheetah population of at least 500 in India, necessitating the transfer of up to a dozen animals annually from South Africa. However, Ravi Chellam highlights the need for the preparation of over 4,000 square kilometers of suitable habitat before further cheetah introductions can occur.
The experiences and lessons learned from the project thus far will be crucial in ensuring the preservation of these endangered animals and preventing further losses.
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