Ahead of the first anniversary of the controvertial cheetah project and the release of African cheetahs in Kuno national park , interesting observations have been shared by the director of the park where 14 cheetahs await re-release in the wild. They were caught and brought back to bomas following 6 cheetah deaths after septicemia caused by abrasion from satellite collars. Uttam Kumar Sharma , the park director has dwelt in detail on cheetah movements and their exploration of the landscape , their interaction with each other and the efforts made by the park management to monitor the animals round the clock as he tried to hammer home a point- African cheetahs are adapting fast in India. Asha: The Hope Based upon his observations, Sharma has released newsletters revolving around two cheetah coalitions -Gaurav-Shaurya (Rockstars) and Agni-Vayu (White walkers), Asha, the female cheetah from Namibia and Jwala and her Indian born cubs. The story of the two coali
Amidst controversy created by the death of cheetahs both in India and South Africa, the forestry and environment ministry of the African nation said the 11 remaining cheetahs will be released in the free ranging conditions “over the next two months.” Interestingly, there is no commitment on cheetah release from Indian officials. Two cheetahs died in Kuno national park – one each from South Africa and Namibia. After the death of Uday, the South African cheetah, the main opposition party has also questioned the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, on the export of 12 cheetahs to India. Two MPs from the the opposition Democratic Alliance Hannah Shameema Winckler and Dave Bryant have sought explanation from the minister and accountability for the cheetah death. This has happened two months after lawyers of an animals' rights organisation in South Africa petitioned the minister to stop the cheetah export until the risks to the animals’ su