Death of eight cheetahs, including three cubs, during the past four months might have, perhaps, sounded like the death knell for their reintroduction programme in India, especially after the death of two cheetahs within a week due to radio-collar induced septicaemia. But, the Head of the 11-member steering committee constituted to oversee the Cheetah Relocation Programme in India, Dr Rajesh Gopal, not only begs to differ but claims there is absolutely no threat to their survival.
In a detailed conversation with Indian Masterminds, Dr. Gopal said, “These many deaths during a relocation programme aren’t unusual. I can’t guarantee that there won’t be any more deaths. These are due to relocation-related stress and infections. But, I am sure cheetahs are going to overcome these initial hiccups and will not only survive in the country but thrive as well.”
As former head of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Dr. Gopal has been associated with Project Tiger for several decades and is considered an authority on the subject. He says Big Cat family members whenever relocated even within the country face severe stress. Cheetahs transported from the African continent have to overcome multiple impediments like the difference in biological clock, terrain, climate and prey base.
This is why it might take anywhere between two and half years to ten years for them to fully adapt and acclimatise. “Just see where was Project Tiger ten years ago and where it is now. The next generation cheetahs born in India would have better adaptability, immunity and acclimatisation,” he said.
Cheetahs have been moving around in Kuno often venturing out of the forest and moving towards human habitations. They have to be brought back into Kuno in such a situation. This is also normal for Cheetahs till they finally demarcate their territory. In any case, Kuno landscape is spread over 6000 square Kms including Shivpuri forest and hence has enough area to move around.
IS RADIO COLLAR THE CULPRIT?
Is the 400-gram radio collar hurting them and they are dying because the wound gets infected with maggots? Dr. Gopal said ticks and mites are common pathogens in animals, including domesticated ones. Tigers and Sambhar deer roll themselves in the mud and water to get rid of these pathogens. Since the cheetahs have come from a relatively dry climate, it is taking them some time to adjust and learn the ways to combat the parasites. “Each cheetah is being tracked by at least nine forest personnel and if any cheetah is found suffering from infection, it is being treated promptly. They are wild animals and only limited human interference is possible in their life,” he said.
Cheetahs face another foe in leopards and tigers prowling in Kuno. There are over 100 leopards and an infrequent presence of one tiger in the cheetah habitat. However, no clashes have been reported between them so far. But, the danger is always there and cheetahs will have to learn to live with the two formidable foes.
THE HISTORY
Cheetah came out of evolutionary bottleneck 10,000 years ago and are now confined only to Namibia, South Africa and, probably, Iran. There, too, it has survived in Kruger Park, which is a fenced forest spread across 20,000 kms. But, we have a different model of conservation, Dr Gopal said.
There are 35 cat species in the world of which 15 are found in India, including the reintroduced cheetah. Cheetah is not as robust as the leopard or the tiger. It is designed for running speedily as its claws retract fully. They are stalkers and that’s why their claws retract fully to make minimum sound while walking. It weighs just 60-70 kg while a leopard weighs almost 80-90 kg and tigers weight around 160 kg (female) to 200-250 kg (male). The cheetah has a small head and agile limbs meant for running fast. That’s why it prefers grasslands than dense forests. They have just 90 days gestation period and another 90 days of post-natal care. They form coalition with other cheetahs for hunting.
