Expressing concern over the deaths of cheetahs introduced to the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Thursday (July 20) asked the Centre about the reason behind keeping them together when they could have been kept separately.
Expressing concern over the deaths of cheetahs introduced to the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Thursday (July 20) asked the Centre about the reason behind keeping them together when they could have been kept separately.
The apex court also noted that the death of eight big cats out of 20 within a year is alarming.
In response to the Supreme Court observation, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati said that nearly 40 per cent of the cheetahs relocated to KNP from Namibia and South Africa have died in the last one year. “During the resettlement of cheetahs, up to 50 per cent mortality is considered normal. This was anticipated in the beginning,” the ASG added.
While adding that Project Cheetah is prestigious for the country, the ASG said, “There are a lot of problems. Detailed analysis of each death is being carried out and our status report will have all that. Then this court may decide on further directions.”