India is exploring the possibility of sourcing cheetahs from countries such as Somalia, Sudan and Tanzania to avoid biorhythm complications that have affected big cats relocated from countries much further south such as South Africa and Namibia. Official records reveal that cheetahs imported from these southern countries have struggled to adjust to India’s climate due to differences in circadian rhythms.
Last year, several cheetahs developed thick winter coats during India’s summer and monsoon, misaligning with local weather patterns and anticipating the African winter. Three cheetahs — a Namibian female and two South African males — died after wounds under their coats became infested with maggots, leading to blood infections.
Despite these concerns, discussions continue with Southern Hemisphere countries, but no formal agreements have been made. “Our focus is on immediate issues, such as augmenting the prey base, managing the leopard population, and preparing the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary,” a source told the Press Trust of India (PTI).
24 months & counting, what are we doing with our 'Imported' #cheetahs?
Desperate to ensure their survival, the wild cats have been kept in large enclosures where they have also been captive-bred. Now they may be released, but experts are worried. Read ⬇️ https://t.co/3ttJYn7nNj
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) August 27, 2024
READ: Saudi Arabia celebrates birth of 4 cheetah cubs as conservation breakthrough
Documents obtained by PTI reveal that, during a steering committee meeting in August last year, Chairman Rajesh Gopal noted that the time needed for cheetahs from the Southern Hemisphere to adapt to the climate in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park could be a major factor in their deaths.
He pointed out that the lack of biorhythmic adjustment led to infections during their coat changes, synced with their original habitats. Gopal suggested sourcing future cheetahs from Northern Hemisphere countries, like Kenya or Somalia, to avoid these issues.
The Kuno National Park, the initial site for cheetah reintroduction in India, continues to grapple with a high leopard population and low prey base, making it difficult for the cheetahs to thrive.
The Africa Range-Wide Cheetah Conservation Initiative notes that while Southern and Eastern Africa remain cheetah strongholds, there has been significant range loss. The distribution of cheetahs in countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Angola, Mozambique and Zambia remains largely unknown.