Cheetah Deaths At Kuno: Don’t Make It A Prestige Issue & Take Steps, SC Tells Centre

New Delhi: Eight African cheetahs, including three cubs, have died in the last four months at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP), leading to raised eyebrows across the country.

Even the Supreme Court expressed concern on Thursday, and asked the Central government not to make this a prestige issue and take positive steps to address the issue.

Eight cheetahs were translocated from Namibia and released at KNP on September 17 last year. Five months later, 12 more cheetahs were transported to KNP, this time from South Africa. The birth of four cubs had taken the total count of cheetahs to 24. But following the death of 8 big cats, the number is now down to 16.

“Two more deaths last week. Why is this becoming a prestige issue? Please take some positive steps. Also, why were they all put in one place instead of being spread?” a three-judge bench, headed by Justice BR Gavai, asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared for the government.

The court also asked if facilities were arranged for a secure transfer of cheetahs to Rajasthan.

“40% deaths occurring in less than a year does not give a good picture. Of 20 cheetahs, 8 have died,” observed the top court.

The ASG told the bench, “We as a government are doing our best for the prestigious project,” adding that this was on expected lines and 50% deaths on translocation is normal.

“So what is the issue? Is our climate not suiting them? Kidney or respiratory issues?” asked Justice Pardiwala.

The ASG apprised the bench that infections had led to deaths, and a detailed analysis of each death was underway.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to file its response, including considering the shifting of cheetahs to Rajasthan.

The matter will next be heard on August 1.

The issue first came up when Supreme Court was hearing the Union government’s petition requesting it should no longer be obligatory for National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to seek advice from the expert committee appointed by Supreme Court in 2020.