Will Rajasthan Become Second Home Of African Cheetahs In India? SC Wants Govt To Look Beyond Kuno

The Supreme Court has suggested that the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where African Cheetahs were released into the wild as part of Project Cheetah, may not be enough to sustain their population and asked the government to shift some of them to another place.

A bench of justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol told the Centre that from reports of experts and articles, it appears that KNP does not seem to be sufficient for such a large number of cheetahs and the Union government may consider shifting them to other sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh itself or in Rajasthan.

REUTERS

Cheetahs need a second home

"It appears that Kuno is not sufficient for so many cheetahs. There is too much concentration of cheetahs in one place. Why don't you look for a suitable place in Rajasthan? Merely because Rajasthan is ruled by an opposition party does not mean, you will not consider it," the bench said.

The SC expressed serious concern over the death of three cheetahs in less than two months and said they must be protected and given a suitable habitat.

Question raised over ailing cheetah's translocation

On the death of Sasha, which the authorities have blamed on a pre-existing kidney ailment, the SC asked how was it cleared for translocation.

"We came to know that the cheetah which died due to kidney-related ailment was suffering from the problem before being brought to India. Question is how was that female cheetah cleared to be brought to India if the feline was suffering from an ailment," the bench said.

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For finding a new habitat, the SC said the government should consider taking views from cheetah experts.

There are no Cheetah experts in India

Earlier, the government, through an affidavit, had told the SC that there are no cheetah experts in India and no officials, including members of the court-appointed committee, have any experience in their management as the animal went extinct from the country in 1947-48.

The government said this entire exercise of cheetah introduction has been carried out under the expert guidance and supervision of international cheetah experts, scientists, veterinarians, forest officials and NTCA in consultation with the committee appointed by this court.?

BCCL

Why KNP is not suitable for?Cheetahs

Ever since Kuno was picked as the location to release the African Cheetahs, many wildlife experts have suggested that it might not be the ideal place.

They had pointed out the lack of prey base and space to hold around twenty Cheetahs in KNP as the reasons why it should not be the location for the unprecedented wildlife reintroduction.

BCCL

Following the three Cheetah deaths, there are reports that the authorities have already started looking for a possible second home for the animals.

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