After Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary will house cheetahs in India for the second time. To reduce the risk of infection, the ultimate decision to import cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa will be taken after the monsoon season.
Speed and Habitat:
Native to Africa and central Iran.
Capable of running at speeds up to 80 to 128 km/h.
Inhabit savannahs, arid mountains, and hilly deserts.
Social Structure:
Live in three main groups: females with cubs, male coalitions, and solitary males.
Hunt during the day, especially at dawn and dusk.
Population Status:
Global population: 6,500 mature individuals (IUCN 2021).
Asiatic Cheetah, one of the five subspecies of cheetah: Critically endangered, found only in Iran.
Breeding and Maturity:
Breed year-round, with peak during the rainy season.
Females reach sexual maturity at 20-24 months.
Males reach sexual maturity at 24-30 months.
Gestation period: 90-95 days.
Litters typically consist of 3-5 cubs.
Vocalizations:
Do not roar like other big cats.
Communicate through high-pitched chirps or barks.
Protection Status:
Vulnerable in IUCN Red List
Schedule 2 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Appendix I of CITES
Notified in 1974.
Located in western Madhya Pradesh, covering 368.62 sq km.
Spans Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 sq km) districts, bordering Rajasthan.
Bifurcated by the Chambal River, with the Gandhi Sagar Dam and reservoir within its boundaries.
Ecosystem:
Characterized by rocky terrain and shallow topsoil.
Supports a savanna ecosystem with open grasslands and dry deciduous trees and shrubs.
Riverine valleys within the sanctuary are evergreen.
Ideal Habitat for Cheetahs:
Resembles the Maasai Mara in Kenya, highlighting its suitability for cheetahs.
Flora: Features a savannah ecosystem with open grasslands, dry deciduous trees, and evergreen vegetation in riverine valleys.
Fauna: Home to a diverse range of wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, grey wolves, golden jackals, jungle cats, Indian foxes, and marsh crocodiles.
Phase-1 started in 2022, to restore the population of cheetahs, which were declared extinct in the country in 1952.
Implemented by the NTCA in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The project involves the translocation of cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park.
Phase-2:
Cheetahs from Kenya due to similar habitats will be translocated to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary's successful preparation as cheetahs' second home is a critical turning point in India's attempts to conserve wildlife. Madhya Pradesh is leading the way in wildlife management and reintroduction initiatives, offering a better future for endangered species in the area through international cooperation and careful planning.