What’s the news?

• Tblisi, a female cheetah translocated from Namibia, has died at Kuno National Park. This is the ninth cheetah to die at Kuno, including three of the four cubs born there. With 30% of the 20 translocated cheetahs dead in just over four months, the alarm bells are ringing.

Central idea

• To safeguard our natural heritage, societies endowed with ethics and financial resources often reintroduce locally extinct species to benefit from the ecosystem services they provide. The cheetah’s historical presence in India, its role as an evolutionary force, and its potential as a flagship species for conservation highlight the importance of this reintroduction effort.

Historical Presence of Cheetahs in India

• The historical presence of cheetahs in India can be traced back to ancient times.
• Prehistoric cave paintings, ancient texts, and the Sanskrit origin of the name cheetah provide evidence of its indigenous nature in the Indian subcontinent.
• Recent genetic analysis has also confirmed that the extinct Indian cheetah originated in Persia.
• Several Ethiopian fauna, such as the lion, the striped hyena, honey badger, caracal, and gazelles including the cheetah, are believed to have colonized India through Persia during ancient periods.

Cheetah’s Role as an Evolutionary Force

• Prey Population Control: By chasing and catching its prey, the cheetah naturally removes weak, sick, and young individuals from the population. This process ensures that only the fittest individuals survive, leading to a healthier and stronger prey population.
• Maintaining Biodiversity: As a top carnivore, the cheetah plays a vital role in regulating the population of herbivores, such as the blackbuck, which is its major prey species. By controlling herbivore populations, the cheetah indirectly influences the abundance and distribution of other plant and animal species in the ecosystem, thereby contributing to biodiversity.
• Balancing Ecosystem Dynamics: The cheetah’s presence helps maintain a balance between predator and prey species. This ecological equilibrium is essential for the overall stability and health of the ecosystem.
• Ecosystem Services: Cheetahs, like other top carnivores, provide ecosystem services by influencing the behavior and distribution of their prey species. This, in turn, affects vegetation dynamics and nutrient cycling, contributing to the overall functioning of the ecosystem.

Economic Benefits of Reintroduction

• Ecotourism Revenue: Reintroducing cheetahs can boost ecotourism in the regions where they are present. Tourists from India and around the world are likely to visit these areas to witness the magnificent cheetahs in their natural habitat.

• Employment Opportunities: The growth of ecotourism and wildlife-related activities creates employment opportunities for local residents. Jobs in hospitality, guiding, park management, and conservation efforts can improve the livelihoods of nearby communities.
• Community-Based Ecotourism: The presence of cheetahs can encourage the development of community-based ecotourism initiatives. Local communities can actively participate in tourism ventures, leading to a sense of ownership and empowerment.
• Sharing of Gate Receipts: Revenue generated from ecotourism and wildlife tourism can be shared with nearby buffer zone villages. This revenue-sharing model incentivizes local communities to support and protect the cheetah population, fostering positive attitudes towards conservation.
• Increase in Real Estate Value: Areas surrounding national parks and wildlife reserves with cheetah populations may experience an increase in real estate value due to their proximity to these ecologically significant regions.
• Research and Education Opportunities: The reintroduction of cheetahs presents opportunities for research and educational programs. Institutions and researchers can conduct studies on cheetah behavior, ecology, and conservation, contributing to scientific knowledge and environmental education.
• Wildlife-Based Enterprises: The presence of cheetahs can encourage the development of wildlife-based enterprises, such as handicrafts, souvenirs, and local products, catering to tourists interested in supporting local communities and conservation efforts.
• Positive Perception: Successful reintroduction projects can enhance India’s international image as a country committed to wildlife conservation and ecological restoration. This positive perception can attract international support and collaborations for further conservation initiatives

Challenges in Reintroduction and Conservation

• Mortality Risks: During the reintroduction process, cheetahs may face various mortality risks, such as snaring, attacks by leopards and feral dogs, starvation, disease, and road kills.

• Adaptation to Indian Conditions: The cheetahs being reintroduced are originally from Southern Africa, which has a different climate and photoperiod than India.
• Enclosed Protected Areas: Some cheetahs have experienced management-related deaths within enclosed protected areas, such as cubs dying due to malnourishment and females being killed by males.
• Disease Management: Cheetahs may be susceptible to certain diseases in the Indian environment.
• Genetic Diversity: The reintroduced population may suffer from reduced genetic diversity due to the small number of individuals initially brought in. A lack of genetic diversity can lead to inbreeding depression and hamper the long-term viability of the population.
• Interactions with Livestock: Cheetahs may occasionally prey on livestock, leading to conflicts with local communities.

Way forward

• Scientific Research and Planning: Conduct thorough scientific research to understand the ecological requirements of cheetahs, their prey species, and the potential habitats for reintroduction. Develop a detailed plan that addresses the challenges, risks, and opportunities involved in the reintroduction process.
• Habitat Restoration and Protection: Identify and restore suitable habitats for cheetahs, ensuring sufficient prey availability and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. Implement measures to protect these habitats from further fragmentation and encroachment.
• Disease Management: Implement disease surveillance and management protocols to monitor the health of reintroduced cheetahs and prevent the spread of diseases to other wildlife and domestic animals.
• Genetic Diversity: Ensure genetic diversity among the reintroduced cheetah population by carefully selecting individuals from different sources and considering genetic health in the reintroduction process.
• International Collaboration: Foster collaboration with other countries, such as Namibia and South Africa, from where the cheetahs are sourced, to ensure the welfare and continued support for the reintroduced cheetahs.
• Public Awareness: Raise public awareness about the importance of cheetah conservation and the ecological role of these majestic animals. Educate people about the benefits of coexisting with cheetahs and supporting their reintroduction.

Conclusion

• Reintroducing cheetahs to India is a crucial step towards ecological security. With continued efforts, support from the government, and active involvement of local communities, the cheetah’s return to the Indian landscape can become a symbol of successful conservation and sustainability.

Also read:

Radio collars are killing the cheetahs in Kuno. Here is how — and why

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