Editorial 2: Check, mate: Population for a second indigenous population of cheetahs in MP
Context:
India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, which brought African cheetahs to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park in 2022, is set to take a new step forward. The government is now preparing to establish a second indigenous population of cheetahs within the state. This move aims to secure the species’ survival, reduce risks of inbreeding, and ensure long-term ecological balance.
Background and Need for Expansion:
- Kuno National Park currently hosts the first batch of cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa. While the initiative has had successes, conservationists argue that a single location cannot guarantee the long-term viability of the species.
- Risks from disease outbreaks, limited genetic pool, and environmental constraints make it essential to create a second, geographically distinct population.
- The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, supported by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has identified Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary as the proposed second site.
- Spread across Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, Gandhi Sagar offers suitable grassland habitats and prey availability. Preparations are underway to relocate cheetahs here, once habitat improvements and prey base strengthening are completed.
Reproduction in Cheetahs:
- Female Cheetahs reach psychological puberty at the age of 25-30 months. It may start to conceive by the age of 29 months.
- Males began mating after they are capable of holding and acquiring territory, between the ages of 4 and 8 years.
- Male cheetahs may mate with many females. Similarly females may matte with multiple males during her receptive period.
- Receptive female sprays urine on vegetation and its other behavioral signs include frequent rolling, rubbing, sniffing, and an increased tolerance for male cheetahs nearby.
- After mating, the females leave the males when they are no longer receptive.
Birth of Cubs:
- The symptoms of pregnancy may include increased appetite, weight of the female. Gestation may last for 3 months and a female may give birth to six cubs at a time.
- They give birth to cubs in bushes, grass patches or rock cavities.
- The female stays with her cubs for about 4 months after birth. During this period, it provides with food and water. It also protects them from predators.
- Cheetah cubs grow faster than the young of any other large felid.
Conservation Challenges:
- One major threat to cub survival is predation, especially by leopards and hyenas. Cheetah mothers often lose entire litters despite their protective instincts.
- Managing predator density and ensuring abundant prey are therefore critical steps before shifting cheetahs to new sites.
- Human-animal conflict is another concern, as surrounding communities depend on agriculture and livestock. Measures like eco-sensitive zones, awareness programmes, and community engagement will be key.
Monitoring the process:
- The relocation will involve extensive monitoring using radio collars, camera traps, and patrolling.
- Wildlife experts will assess adaptation, hunting success, and reproductive behavior of the relocated cheetahs.
- Regular scientific review will guide future decisions. Officials stress that this initiative is not merely about translocation but about restoring ecological balance.
- Cheetahs play a vital role in grassland ecosystems by regulating herbivore populations. Establishing them across multiple sites ensures ecological resilience and reduces extinction risks.
Way Forward:
The plan to relocate Cheetahs to second location in Gandhi Sagar is fraught with challenges such as prey management, predator competition etc. Conservation authorities must engage with scientists, academics and community volunteers to successfully rehabilitate the second population of Cheetahs. This will strengthen the long-term survival of cheetahs and strengthen India’s position in global conservation efforts.