Indias ambitious effort to reintroduce cheetahs has reached another success milestone according to the Times of India
The
India is trying to right a wrong and save a species by importing African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) into selected Indian habitat. India killed its last cheetahs in the 1950’s. They are threatened in Africa and even more so in Iran. Establishing a wild Indian population is the goal.
To this end, Gamini, a South African import has given birth to three cubs. Gamini lives in Kuno National Park which now has 38 of the fleet cats.
themless able to defend themselves.
The project began in September 2022. Cheetahs from
Namibia and South Africa have been brought to India for release.
The project has not been above criticism. A number of the cheetahs have died. Critics also say the project is backwards in that the cats came to India before suitable habitat was identified. A thornier question was the use of African cheetahs. African cheetahs are a bit larger and used to open Savannah. That habitat is not common in India. Asiatic cheetahs were native to India. Unfortunately Asiatic cheetahs are found only in Iran. There are probably no more than 30 remaining in the wild. Iranian biologists feared taking even two for transport could tip the scales toward extinction.
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi is taking strong interest in conserving India’s wildlife. Tigers (PAnthera Tigris) Asiatic lions (Panthera Leo) and cheetahs are among the native cats benefiting from
Conservation efforts. Of the approximately 37 species of wildcats world wide India has about one-third, more than any other nation.
Conservationists say the project may be years away from completion as the imported cats learn to survive in unfamiliar surroundings.