Context:
Not more than two years after the introduction of cheetahs in India, prey shortage and the competition posed by leopards has been a major concern to authorities monitoring the survival of and well being of the big cats. They became extinct from India in 1952. Cheetahs have been reintroduced at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh via the translocation of:
- Eight cheetahs from Namibia on September 17, 2022
- Twelve cheetahs from South Africa on February 18, 2023
Up until now, according to government sources, ten cheetahs have died, and the current number of cheetahs in the park is 26.
Concerns Over Prey Scarcity
- The Cheetah Project Steering Committee (CPSC) has raised concerns regarding the insufficient prey bounty available for cheetahs on various occasions. In its spur 10th meeting numbering August 23, 2024, the committee noted that:
- Prey density varies widely within Kuno’s distinctive sections as follows:
- Within the 350 sq. km core sanctuary area, there exists a deer density of 17.5 per sq. km.
- The surrounding area of 400 sq. km has a much lesser density of just 1.5 per sq. km.
- This faces no new issue
- In fact, during the very first meeting of the CPSC convened on May 30, 2023, the very committee had concluded that prey augmentation must be a continuing effort.
- When asked about initiatives over the last six months on this issue, CPSC Chairman Rajesh Gopal said:
- Increasing prey populations translocated to this area
- In situ revival methods by which species like deer breed under conditions where their protectors are nourished and benefit from protection but don’t have threats immediately from predation
- Monitoring cheetahs’ hunting behavior because ALL evidence points to the fact that they are making natural kills which indicates some improvement
Competition from Leopards: Another Challenge
- Deprivation of prey coupled with intense competition from about 26 leopards per 100 sq. km densifies the problem for cheetahs, further complicating their chance of survival after reintroduction.
The already low prey base, reduced further through predation from the leopards and other natural causes, threatens to be so minuscule that it will be incapable of natural recovery.
Project Cheetah
Source: BS
