Why Reintroduce Cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary?

June 17, 2024

The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Madhya Pradesh, has been identified as the second potential habitat for cheetah reintroduction after Kuno National Park. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reintroduce cheetahs in India, sourcing them from Namibia and South Africa.

Sanctuary Geography and Habitat

The sanctuary covers 368.62 square kilometers and is in the districts of Mandsaur and Neemuch. It has a savanna environment that is good for cheetahs. The area is made up of flat, rocky plateaus and is split in half by the Chambal River. The landscape ranges from open grasslands to river valleys. The Gandhi Sagar dam and some of its big reservoirs are now part of the sanctuary. They make the landscape more varied.

Preparation for Cheetah Arrival

There have been a lot of plans made before the cheetahs arrive. A 64-square-kilometer area has been set aside just for cheetahs, and a soft-release cage has been built to make sure they have a safe place to learn and adapt. Also, a wildlife hospital to take care of the cheetahs’ unique animal health needs. To keep the ecosystem balanced, the area herbivore and predator populations are also being looked at.

Challenges in Sustaining Cheetah Population

A sufficient amount of food has been identified as the most significant challenge. Moving animals like chital, blackbuck, and chinkara to new areas is part of the current plan to increase the number of food so that the cheetah population can stay stable. The success of this project will depend on working together on management plans with the nearby Bhainsrodgarh refuge and keeping an eye on things all the time.

About Cheetah Reintroduction in India

India is reintroducing cheetahs after a 70-year extinction, starting with 12 from Namibia in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. To help local environments, the government chose Kuno because it has great grasslands. According to the 2020 announcement, this move is meant to restore natural balance and increase biodiversity. African experts are helping the cats get used to their new home by focusing on reducing conflicts between people and animals. According to rules from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the plan calls for 50 cheetahs to be born over 5 years to create a stable population.

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