Environment Ministry team in Kenya to source cheetahs

A four-member delegation of the Environment Ministry is away to Kenya to source cheetahs as well as finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African nation on enhancing cooperation in wildlife conservation.

Officials from the ministry said the new batch of cheetahs — 14 are likely to be sourced — from Kenya was likely to adapt better to India’s climate. “Kenya is in the northern hemisphere and its cheetahs will adjust better in India’s tropical climate. The wild cats sourced earlier were from the southern hemisphere in Africa, a reason why they developed thick fur on their neck in the winter. Also, there is heat and humidity at Kuno, which led to infections,” an official from the ministry said.

The official said as part of efforts towards wildlife conservation, Kenya wanted its forest staff to be trained at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun. “They have sought long-term support,” he said. The new batch of cheetahs will be introduced in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, which will be the second sanctuary dedicated to the animal.

Earlier this year, a six-member Kenyan delegation had visited the Kuno National Park to ascertain the management of cheetahs. The delegation members also visited Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, the Centre is deliberating on developing Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and Shahgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Desert National Park in Rajasthan as potential landscapes for cheetahs. At present, there are 24 cheetahs at Kuno, which include 12 adults and two India-born cubs.