Madhya Pradesh seeks relocation of African Cheetahs from Kuno: Here's why

The Madhya Pradesh government shot a letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to find a new habitat for some of the cheetahs brought to Kuno National Park from Africa amid concern over space.

Kuno National Park is now home to 23 Cheetahs. Of these, eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia, while 12 more were translocated from South Africa. One of the Namibian cheetahs, Sasha, died while another female, Siyaya, delivered four cubs.

The Kuno National Park which has a core area of 748 sq km, and its surrounding 487 sq km buffer zone can accommodate only nine to 10 cheetahs as the big cat's territory is spread over 300 to 800 square km.

Two cheetahs, Asha and Oban are sneaking out frequently exploring a large part of the buffer area. The Kuno forest officials have deployed two teams of 18 officials around the clock to monitor cheetahs in the wild.

"For monitoring 17 cheetahs in the wild, we have at least 126 forest officials equipped with drones, vehicles, and wireless sets. Having so many people inside the park for tracking would disturb the natural habitat. So, we have requested the NTCA to find a new home for the Cheetahs," an official told Hindustan Times.

According to the Cheetah Action Plan the Gandhi Sagar-Bhainsrorgarh wildlife Sanctuaries complex in MP and Rajasthan, Nauradehi Sanctuary in MP, and Shahgarh Bulge and Mukundara in Rajasthan are found suitable for Cheetah habitat.

Out of these, the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur is likely to be the second home for the Cheetahs.

Cheetah Oban ventures into Tiger territory

Meanwhile, the male cheetah Oban wandered into the Madhav National Park in the Shivpuri district where two tigers were released recently as part of a reintroduction project.

This is the second time so far this month that five-year-old Oban, one of the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia last year, has sneaked out of Kuno park.

Amid the fears of a conflict between the two big cats, officials said "There are tigers in the (Madhav) national park, but this will not create any problems, as all animals can protect themselves considering the danger".

Cheetah, once roamed freely in Indian territories were last seen in 1947. As per records, India's last three cheetahs were shot in the Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Koriya District, Chhattisgarh State.