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The big cats, classified as an endangered wildlife species, have been brought to India as part of the Cheetah Project – a major experiment to revive their population in the country. While eight were brought in from Namibia, they were joined by 12 others from South Africa last February. (image file / pti)
The male cat was among 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa last February who are still in captivity. India has so far lost seven cheetahs, including four adults and three cubs
Another leopard died in Kono National Park in Madhya Pradesh, giving another jolt to the government’s ambitious Cheetah project. The male was among 12 big cats brought from South Africa last February and was named Tejas. Around 11 a.m., the Forestry Department’s monitoring team noticed some signs of injury on the upper neck of the male leopard. Wildlife doctors were informed and they inspected the cheetah. However, according to the Forestry Department, the wounds appeared serious.
“The male cheetah was found dead at the site at around 2pm. The injuries sustained by the cheetah Tejas are being investigated. The exact cause of death will be established after the autopsy,” the ministry said in a statement. The cheetah died in its enclosure and has not yet been released into the wild. According to the ministry, in a statement For forest officials, infighting with another female cheetah can result in fatal injury.
India has so far lost seven cheetahs since it conducted the historic relocation exercise of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa in September last year. Two of the three died of disease, while the third died during a violent reaction. This was followed by the death of three cubs born to Namibian cats due to the scorching summer heat.
The latest losses have brought the death toll to seven in just five months. Of the seven deaths, four were adults over four years old, while the cubs were only two months old.
The big cats, classified as an endangered wildlife species, have been brought to India as part of the Cheetah Project – a major experiment to revive their population in the country. While eight were brought in from Namibia, they were joined by 12 others from South Africa last February.
Big questions now loom over one of the world’s largest transportation projects, with wildlife conservationists expressing concerns.
Panthers have been in packs for a very long time. News18 earlier reported that according to experts, the density of tigers in Kono is much greater than that of African ecosystems, which could lead to increased pressure on leopards. In addition, Kono has other large carnivores unknown to cheetahs, including wolves, sloth bears, small dogs, and occasionally a dispersed leopard that wanders from a nearby reserve.
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