Experts reject Mukundara for cheetah citing dearth of prey-base

 

 

Though officials have suggested shifting a group of cheetahs at Mukundara National Park in neighbouring Rajasthan but the wildlife experts rejected the proposal citing example of acute shortage of prey base.

Experts said that there is shortage of prey-base due to which Mukundara Park would be more unsecure for the African cheetah. They also presented example of a female tiger MT-4 died of stomach infection on May 5 in the park. MT4 was the only female tiger of park and she was expecting. The tigress was introduced in Mukundara Park from Ranthambore in year 2019. They said that after facing acute shortage of prey, she ate something infectious. Even in year 2020, male tiger MT-3 died of same reason stomach infection. Mukundara was notified as tiger reserve in year 2013 and since then 7 tigers have been introduced from nearby reserves but out of these six tigers of illness. Only one male tiger MT-5 is surviving. Center has also suggested forest team to shift the cheetah in neighbouring state Rajasthan.

Forest officials said that cheetahs are now identity of Madhya Pradesh and they want to keep them surviving and breeding in state jungle. At present there is no secure option for translocation of cheetahs. In cheetah action plan, Mukundara landscape, Gandhi Sagar Nauradehi and Shahgarh area has been included as option for the cat. As Mukundara is closer to Kuno and it has 82 km long fencing enclosure due to which officials are giving it preference. In tiger action plan, condition of prey base shortage is also mentioned for the Mukundara. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur is close to Mukundara. Officials are working to translocate herbivore in bulk so that shortage of prey base can be eradicated from Gandhi Sagar. However, there is no fencing due to which cheetah can stray out in residential villages. Forest officials said that earlier it was planned to keep to 14 or 15 cheetahs at Kuno and shift around five cheetahs to other place.