Cheetah Reintroduction

In September 2022, eight cheetahs from Africa, provided by Namibia, were released into a quarantined area within Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. The relocation is being overseen by experts from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. The plan is to eventually introduce a total of 40 African cheetahs into the park. However, as of January 16, 2024, there have been setbacks, with seven adult cheetahs and three cubs dying in the park.

Until the 20th century, the Asiatic cheetah thrived across the Middle East, from the Arabian Peninsula to India. In India, they ranged as far south as the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. These majestic cats were prized by kings and princes for hunting gazelles and blackbucks. Historical records show that rulers like Firuz Shah Tughluq and Akbar kept cheetahs for hunting purposes, with Akbar reportedly having around 1000 of them. However, by the 20th century, their numbers began to decline rapidly due to habitat loss and excessive hunting. The last physical evidence of the Asiatic cheetah in India dates back to 1948 when three were shot by Maharajah Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Surguja State. Despite efforts to conserve them, the Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in India, marking the first recorded extinction of an animal in the country due to human activities. They no survive only in Iran.

Over 70 years since India lost its own cheetah subspecies, efforts are underway to reintroduce them into the country. The plan involved bringing in Southeast African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to a national park in India. This initiative aims to see how well these cheetahs can adapt in the long run. Discussions about reintroducing cheetahs in India started in the 1950s, but various obstacles hindered progress. Political instability in Iran and other factors delayed earlier attempts. However, in 2020, India's supreme court gave the green light for a limited reintroduction.

Cheetahs, known as the fastest land animals, are classified as "crepuscular" hunters, indicating they primarily hunt at sunrise and sunset. Female cheetahs have a gestation period lasting 92-95 days, after which they typically give birth to a litter containing around three to five cubs.

The discussion on reintroducing cheetahs into India began shortly after their extinction was confirmed. Initiatives were proposed as early as 1955, with the former State Wildlife Board of Andhra Pradesh suggesting experimental reintroductions. In 1965, M. Krishnan examined the pros and cons of reintroduction in a newspaper article, while in 1984, Divyabhanusinh authored a paper on the cheetah's status for the Ministry of Environment and Forests, sparking international interest.

• Sourcing from Iran: In the 1970s, formal requests were made to Iran for Asiatic cheetahs, but talks stalled after political upheaval. In 2009, discussions with Iran resumed but were ultimately abandoned due to various reasons, including Iran's preference for an Asiatic lion in exchange.
• Sourcing from Africa: Since the Asiatic cheetah was no longer available, attention turned to African cheetahs. Offers from countries like Kenya were considered, and in 2009, a report recommended sourcing cheetahs from Africa.
• Cloning: In the early 2000s, Indian scientists proposed cloning Asiatic cheetahs from Iran due to their low population. While efforts were made to obtain live pairs or cell samples, the plan did not materialise.
• Reintroduction Plan: In September 2009, significant progress was made with a meeting organized by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The plan included a detailed survey of potential reintroduction sites across several Indian states.
• Introduction of African Cheetah: Experts advocated for the introduction of Southeast African cheetahs due to the Asiatic cheetah's limited numbers in Iran. Namibia, South Africa, and other countries were identified as potential sources.
• Possible Reintroduction Sites: Three regions were identified as potential reintroduction sites: Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh, and the Shahgarh bulge landscape in Rajasthan. These areas were deemed suitable for supporting cheetah populations based on their habitat characteristics and historical coexistence with other big cats.

• Legal challenges arose in 2012 when the Indian Supreme Court suspended the cheetah reintroduction project. Conservationists pushed for the relocation of overpopulated Asiatic lions to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, complicating matters. The Supreme Court's involvement increased, fast-tracking hearings and raising questions about the compatibility of introducing African cheetahs with conservation guidelines.
• In January 2020, the Supreme Court permitted the introduction of Southern African cheetahs from Namibia for a trial period, setting up a committee to oversee the process. Detailed scientific assessments of potential reintroduction sites were conducted, and in August 2022, the government announced plans to reintroduce cheetahs to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and cheetah experts from Namibia and South Africa, are spearheading the implementation of the project.

On September 17, 2022, eight cheetahs from Namibia were brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh for the reintroduction program. Out of these, five were female and three were male. In November 2022, two male cheetahs were moved to a larger enclosure after their quarantine, followed by the release of another male and two female cheetahs later that month.

• Expansion of the Program: In January 2023, South Africa agreed to relocate 12 cheetahs to India, with plans to bring in additional cheetahs annually for the next 8 to 10 years. By March 11, 2023, a breeding pair was released into the wild, followed by more releases in the coming days.
• Challenges and Setbacks: Despite successful reintroductions, challenges arose. In April 2023, one cheetah escaped from the park, later returning after tranquilization. Unfortunately, cheetah deaths occurred, with one due to kidney complications and another to heart failure. Additionally, a female cheetah died during mating.
• Supreme Court Intervention: Criticism mounted regarding the concentration of cheetahs in one area, leading to a Supreme Court ruling in May 2023 to explore alternative release sites in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan.
• Continued Releases and Mortalities: New releases continued, with two male cheetahs and a female released in May 2023, bringing the total to six cheetahs in Kuno National Park. However, deaths persisted, including that of cheetah cubs due to weakness and heat.
• Government Intervention and Oversight: In response to the deaths, a high-level steering committee was formed in May 2023 to oversee Project Cheetah. Despite mortalities, experts clarified that such losses were anticipated, with a new release bringing the total cheetah count to seven.
• Ongoing Challenges and Deaths: Subsequent deaths occurred, including that of a male cheetah in July 2023 and a female in August 2023 due to maggot infection. However, positive news emerged in January 2024, with the birth of three cubs.
• Recent Developments: In January 2024, another male cheetah died, raising the total deaths to ten. However, in March 2024, a cheetah named Gamini gave birth to six cubs, bringing the total number of cheetahs in the national park to 27.

• Genetic Subspecies Differentiation: At a workshop in 2009, genetic studies suggested the Asiatic cheetah was genetically identical to the African cheetah, but a more detailed study in 2011 concluded they were genetically distinct. Further studies in 2020 revealed significant differences between the Asiatic and African subspecies.
• Integrity Challenges: Namibian cheetahs Sasha, Jwala, and Savannah were captive-raised as research subjects, raising integrity concerns for the project.
• Shift in Stance: India's decision to abstain from a CITES vote against ivory trade after importing cheetahs raised ethical concerns, questioning the project's commitments.
• Paradigm Shift Ahead: Due to Kuno's inability to sustain a genetically self-sustaining population, a paradigm shift towards a meta-population approach is necessary. This approach involves managing distinct populations in fragmented habitats to ensure long-term viability and genetic diversity.
• Challenges of Meta-population Approach: Unlike leopards, cheetahs cannot travel long distances between scattered populations. Adopting the South African model of periodic translocation raises concerns about forest connectivity for natural wildlife dispersal.
• Kuno's Carrying Capacity: Initial estimates suggested Kuno could support over 50 cheetahs, but revised assessments in 2020 indicate challenges in sustaining even 21 cheetahs due to lower-than-expected cheetal density.

The reintroduction of cheetahs in India has been met with both successes and challenges. While significant efforts have been made to bring back this iconic species, various concerns have arisen regarding genetic differentiation, integrity issues, and the feasibility of sustaining populations in the chosen habitat of Kuno National Park.

Moving forward, it is essential to adopt a balanced approach that considers the welfare of both the cheetahs and the surrounding ecosystem. One potential solution could involve transitioning towards a meta-population approach, acknowledging the limitations of a single site and emphasising the importance of maintaining connectivity between fragmented habitats. This could involve establishing additional reintroduction sites across central and western India, allowing for a more dispersed population that can better withstand environmental and demographic fluctuations.

Furthermore, robust policies and interventions are needed to address integrity challenges and ensure ethical practices throughout the reintroduction process. This may include stricter oversight of captive-raised cheetahs and stronger commitments to conservation principles at both national and international levels. Collaboration between government agencies, conservation organisations, and experts from Namibia and South Africa will be crucial in implementing effective management strategies and monitoring the progress of the reintroduction program.