Radio Collars Killing Cheetah in Kuno National Park? Government Debunks Claims on 19 July
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently refuted claims that Cheetah deaths in Kuno National Park were caused by radio collars. Contrary to speculative media reports, the ministry clarified that the actual reason for the death of the Cheetahs was due to natural causes.
Out of the 20 adult cheetahs that were translocated, five of them succumbed to natural reasons, as determined by scientific investigations and post-mortem examinations. The ministry dismissed the reports linking radio collars to the cheetah deaths, emphasizing the lack of concrete scientific evidence to support such claims.
As per The Independent newspaper’s report, a South African expert has attributed the deaths of two African cheetahs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, to a bacterial infection in their blood caused by maggot infestations in the wet skin underneath their radio collars.
The expert reportedly stated that the radio collars were not checked, which led to the untreated condition and subsequent infection in the cheetahs. This information indicates a potential cause for the deaths of the cheetahs that were different from the initial claim that radio collars were not involved.
According to the findings from the autopsy conducted by veterinary wildlife specialist Adrian Tordiffe, the second cheetah’s condition was marked by wet skin on its neck and underneath the collar. This specific condition proved to be critical as it left the cheetahs vulnerable to septicemia, which is a severe bacterial infection that spreads through the bloodstream.
The septicemia, in this case, originated from a skin infection, likely caused or exacerbated by the presence of the wet skin in the collar area.The wet skin on the cheetah’s neck and under the collar likely created an ideal environment for bacterial growth and colonization.
Such an environment can attract and facilitate the proliferation of bacteria, which can eventually lead to an infection. In the case of the cheetahs, this infection developed into septicemia, a dangerous condition that can have fatal consequences if not promptly treated.
The presence of moisture and possible inadequate collar maintenance might have contributed to the development of this condition. When radio collars are used on wildlife, regular checks and maintenance are crucial to ensure the animals’ safety and prevent potential complications arising from skin-related issues.
In summary, the autopsy report points to the wet skin underneath the collar as a significant factor that exposed the cheetahs to septicemia, a life-threatening bacterial infection that originated from a skin infection.
In a tweet, Jairam Ramesh, a Member of Parliament, expressed his skepticism regarding the statement issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) attributing all eight cheetah deaths in Kuno National Park to natural causes. According to Jairam Ramesh, it is predictable that the Prime Minister may have intervened to influence the NTCA’s statement.
He further claimed that the NTCA’s statement is a political one aimed at whitewashing management failures and undermining the principles of conservation science. Jairam Ramesh suggests that there is sufficient evidence available to challenge the NTCA’s assertion.
The tweet implies that Jairam Ramesh questions the credibility of the NTCA’s statement and believes that there are underlying management issues or other factors that may have contributed to the cheetah deaths. He criticizes the NTCA for disregarding conservation science principles and presenting a statement that appears politically motivated.
The government’s initiative, Project Cheetah, aims to support cheetah conservation in India. As part of this project, a total of 20 radio collared cheetahs were translocated from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
1. Cheetah Research Center: The establishment of a Cheetah Research Center signifies the government’s commitment to research and conservation efforts for cheetahs. The center is likely to serve as a hub for conducting scientific studies on cheetah behavior, habitat usage, and other aspects to better understand their needs and challenges.
2. Facilities for Rescue and Rehabilitation: The project likely involves creating facilities within the Cheetah Research Center for the rescue and rehabilitation of cheetahs that may need immediate medical attention or care. Such facilities can aid in the recovery and eventual release of injured or distressed cheetahs back into their natural habitat.
3. Capacity Building: Capacity building initiatives are crucial for training and educating local communities, forest department officials, and other stakeholders on cheetah conservation. By enhancing their knowledge and skills, it empowers them to actively participate in safeguarding the cheetah population and its habitat.
4. Interpretation Centers: The establishment of interpretation centers within the Cheetah Research Center can serve as educational hubs for visitors and tourists. These centers are likely to provide information about cheetah conservation, their ecological significance, and the importance of protecting their natural environment.
5. Translocation Efforts: The translocation of 20 radio-collared cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park signifies a significant step in reintroducing the cheetah species to India. Translocation initiatives aim to boost the cheetah population in areas where they have become locally extinct.
Overall, Project Cheetah represents a comprehensive approach to cheetah conservation in India, encompassing research, rescue and rehabilitation, capacity building, and public awareness initiatives. Through such efforts, the government strives to ensure the survival and thriving of the cheetah population while preserving the ecological balance of the region.
