Staff Reporter
New Delhi, Sept. 4 — The High Commissioner of Namibia to India, Gabriel Sinimbo, has commented on the recent deaths of several cheetahs that were brought from Namibia and South Africa to Madhya Pradesh, stating that these fatalities are “anticipated.”
Sinimbo explained that it is natural for animals to face challenges when introduced to a new environment and expressed optimism that the cheetahs would eventually adapt to India’s surroundings.
Since March of this year, a total of nine out of the 20 cheetahs imported from the two countries have perished.
These losses have raised concerns regarding the viability of Project Cheetah, which seeks to reintroduce cheetahs to India, where they were declared extinct in 1952.
Some conservationists have criticized the project, asserting that Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is an unsuitable habitat for these creatures.
However, the Ministry of Environment has maintained that these deaths occurred due to natural causes and that the project is proceeding as planned.
Furthermore, the ministry has disclosed that the radio collars of six cheetahs in Kuno National Park were temporarily removed for “health examination” by veterinarians from the park and experts from Namibia and South Africa.
Currently, there are 14 cheetahs residing in enclosures at Kuno, consisting of seven males, six females, and one female cub. A team comprised of Kuno wildlife veterinarians and a Namibian expert is diligently monitoring their well-being.
These felines were introduced to Kuno National Park last year, marking the first attempt to establish a free-ranging cheetah population in India in 70 years.
While the project has been lauded as a significant conservation achievement, the recent deaths have cast a shadow of uncertainty over its future.
The success of the project hinges on whether the cheetahs can successfully adapt to India’s environment and establish a sustainable population. In the interim, it is imperative for the government and conservationists to collaborate closely to ensure the project’s success.
