Cheetah Deaths At Kuno: SC Urges Centre To Consider Shifting Remaining Animals To Rajasthan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is concerned about three African cheetahs dying within a span of two months at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

The apex court, hearing of an application filed by the Centre seeking clarification that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was no longer obligated to follow guidance of an expert committee appointed by the court in January 2020, urged the Union government to explore possibility of relocating the remaining cheetahs to Rajasthan, setting aside political considerations.

Eight cheetahs were brought in from Namibia last September and 12 more from South Africa in February.

A bench comprising justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol observed that reports from experts and media articles indicate that KNP may not be ideal to accommodate such a large number of cheetahs.

“Three deaths (of cheetahs) in less than two months is a matter of serious concern. There are opinions of experts and articles in the media. It appears that Kuno is not sufficient for so many cheetahs. There is too much concentration of cheetahs at one place. Why don’t you look for a suitable place in Rajasthan? Merely because Rajasthan is ruled by an opposition party does not mean you will not consider it,” the bench said.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, informed the court that a task force is already investigating the deaths and considering the possibility of shifting remaining 17 cheetahs to other sanctuaries.

Stating that one female cheetah — Sasha from Namibia — had a pre-existing kidney ailment before being brought to India, the court questioned how the animal was cleared for transportation.

The ASG assured the court that autopsies had been conducted on all the deceased cheetahs and the task force was conducting a thorough investigation.

Bhati highlighted the successful birth of four cheetah cubs, indicating that they are acclimatising well in Kuno.

“You are bringing the cheetahs from abroad. It’s a good thing. But they need to be protected. They need to be given suitable habitat. Why don’t you explore for a more suitable habitat than Kuno?” the bench asked, adding that it is not casting any aspersions on the government but expressing concern over the deaths.