India is all set to welcome cheetahs, which went extinct in the country in 1952.
The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is getting ready to welcome its new inhabitants, African cheetahs. They are being brought under an intercontinental translocation project. All the arrangements are already done, but the agreement between India and SA is in its final stages pending signatures from the authorities. Â
YV Jhala, the Dean of the Wildlife Institute of India, is overseeing the developments in Namibia presently. He said, “cheetahs will be airlifted from Namibia and South Africa and brought to either Jaipur or Gwalior airports, in Indian states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively, considering their close proximity to their new home in Kuno National Park.”
The fast and ferocious animal will find a new home in the Kuno-Palpur National Park
Reportedly, the ferocious animal will find a new home in the Kuno-Palpur National Park (KNP) in the Sheopur district. It will be probably at a time when India will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day.
Another official confirmed the same and said that cheetahs will be brought in a chartered plane. They will be accompanied by veterinarians from South Africa and Namibia onboard. Moreover, the animals will be transferred from Jaipur/Gwalior airports to Kuno via choppers. Also, backup ambulances have also been arranged in case they need to be transported by road. The total travel time is expected to be around 12 hours. (Generic Ambien)
Why Kuno-Palpur National Park?
Wildlife experts identified Kuno-Palpur National Park in India’s Madhya Pradesh for its suitable landscape for cheetahs.
Established in 1981, Kuno National Park is spread over an area of 748.76 square km and is a part of the Kuno National Park division which covers an area of 1235.39 square km. Kuno river, one of the major tributaries of the Chambal river, flows through the entire length bisecting the National Park division.Â
Kuno park is home to tigers, jackals, chinkaras and leopards. It has the potential to carry populations of all four big cats- the tiger, the leopard, the Asiatic lion and also cheetah. All four have coexisted within the same habitats historically.Â
Preparations are done to house 12 to 15 cheetahs, including females
Preparations are done for housing 12 to 15 cheetahs, including females. The officials have earmarked an area of five square km having eight compartments in it for initially keeping the animals.
Sheopur’s divisional forest officer (DFO) Prakash Verma, underwent training to handle cheetahs along with other officials. He said, “shortcomings pointed out by a team from South Africa and Namibia related to the reintroduction project are being addressed.” He added, “we were (during training) taught how to handle cheetahs and told about various aspects of their behaviour. Whatever we have learnt, we will be imparting those skills to over 125 staffers posted in KNP.”
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and WII officials were part of the delegation that was trained by the two African nations. They will also come down to KNP before the arrival of cheetahs to train the ground staff.
About their tranquilization
According to Jhala, the Cheetahs will be kept awake under mild tranquilization for the duration of the journey. However, S P Yadav, member secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority and additional director general, Project Tiger, said Cheetahs won’t be tranquillized even mildly as it may affect the animal’s health. However, he added “if the Cheetahs show any sign of agitation or abnormal behaviour, a sedative can be given to control them. “
