Translocation of African spotted cat from Namibia to India is being delayed due to presence of leopards in the area where cheetahs are supposed to be released.

Officials had earlier planned to introduce the cat in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno Palpur National Park before August 15. But, the plan has been postponed by forest officials for a month after witnessing presence of leopards. Sources said that the African Cheetah will be brought to MP’s Kuno Palpur by the end of September. At present, field staff in Kuno has been assigned to capture leopards that have strayed from Ranthambore and release them in some other areas. There are some leopards that have strayed out in Kuno from Ranthambore and they are treacherous for the cheetahs. Around 4,000 sq km of outer area has wild dogs and leopards which can prey on the cheetahs. Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was earlier prepared for welcoming Asiatic Lion. When the lion could not be released from Gujarat, authorities came up with Cheetah Project. However, forest officials denied to confirm the Cheetah translocation date as everything was being handled by authorities in New Delhi. They said that they were following the guidelines and directions with detailed preparation. Wildlife experts are also raising concern about the Cheetah translocation and said that space in Kuno Palpur is not sufficient for the new guests. They said that the required is about 100 sq km of area for two cheetahs. Kuno Sanctuary is spread over 748 sq km of area where it is proposed to introduce 50 Cheetahs in the next ten years. However, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Jasveer Singh Chauhan, District Forest Officer Prakash Verma and other forest officials said that the location is perfect for Cheetah translocation. They said that higher delegates from Africa and India have finalised Kuno for Cheetah translocation. Veterinary Doctor Omkar Anchal spent ten days in African countries and said that temperature of Namibia and Kuno is almost the same. He said that Cheetah can easily prey and breed in Kuno.

DFO Prakash Verma said, “Everything is being monitored by higher authorities so I cannot comment over the translocation date. We are tracing the leopards and releasing them to some other spot to follow the directions of officials.” He further informed that eight cheetahs are being introduced on experimental based and if all goes well, then more cheetahs will be brought to India. He said that wildlife expert and scientist Windsun and Siemon from South Africa had earlier visited the Kuno Park and after spending three days, they also visited Rajasthan and a few other wildlife sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh. They found Kuno the best suitable place for Cheetah translocation. He said that though there is low density of Chinkara (deer) but sufficient population of Cheetal that will work. A single Cheetah requires 50 km of area to run and their favourite prey is the black buck.

The team has identified and captured the male and female spotted cat in Namibia, Kenya and a few other countries. Group of eight cheetahs have been vaccinated in Namibia.

Forest officials said that average weight of each Cheetah is around 30 kg to 50 kg and they have been captured from different countries to avoid blood relation between them. Around eight cheetahs are quarantined in Namibia and 12 cheetahs are quarantined in Kenya and other country for further translocation. In the first phase, eight cheetahs will be brought to India from Namibia. Sources said that 8 cheetahs will be brought via Johannesburg Airways to New Delhi.

It would take around 14 hours to translocate the cat in India. They will be quarantined in Kuno for 30 days and then shifted to enclosure. DFO Prakash Verma said that special enclosure has been prepared in 24 km of area from Palpur to Jakhod range. Patrolling team has been also assigned to keep an eye on cat specially in outer parts. The Centre has signed a MoU of Cheetah translocation with Namibia in July at New Delhi.