Three cheetah cubs dead in India’s Kuno National Park, expert warns of higher mortality

In another major setback tothe ambitiousProject Cheetah, two more cubs lost their livesinsideKuno National Parkin the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh in central India. The cubs died just two days after another cub had lost his life.

The increasing deaths of cheetahs in the Kuno National Park have escalated worries over Project Cheetah's future in India. The cubs were found to be weak, underweight and poorly hydrated, said officials.

Speaking about their deaths, South African wildlife expert Vincent van der Merwe said that there will be an increase in the mortality rate of these cheetahs in the coming months amid their reintroduction, PTI reported.

The expert added that there are chances of cheetahs' mortality rate increasing by 50 per cent in the first year. “We anticipate a 50 per cent mortality in the first year, we know that only 10 are going to survive the initial release period. There's going to be more than enough prey for them,” he added.

According to the expert, there will be more deaths as the big cats will make attempts to establish territories and in these efforts, they will encounter tigers and leopards inside the national park.

He further added that the recent deaths of cheetahs have occurred within the acceptable range. However, he added that the killing of female cheetahs by males during mating was uncalled for.

What can India do to save cheetahs?

The wildlife expert stated that the habitats should be fenced so that access to resources by other animals can be controlled and the overall threat to these cheetahs can be reduced.

He added that the reintroduction of cheetahs has never been successful in an unfenced reserve. Merwe further said that at least two to three cheetahs should be brought to Mukundra Hills where they can breed.

"Mukundra Hills is fully fenced. We know that cheetahs will do very well there. The only problem is that it's not fully stocked at the moment. So you'll have to bring in some black buck and chinkara. And when the fencing is completed at Nauradehi and Gandhisagar, we will have three fenced reserves and then we are absolutely winning," he added.

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'Death is normal after relocation'

The wildlife expert stated that the death of cheetahs is normal after relocation.

"That's where you can expect mortality due to hunting injury. The cheetahs, of course, will continue to establish territories and fight with each other and kill each other for territories and for access to females. They're going to encounter leopards. There are now tigers moving around in Kuno. The worst mortalities are still to come," he stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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