MIXED BAG

ONE YEAR OF PROJECT CHEETAH

- Rahul Noronha

Project Cheetah, dubbed as the first intercontinental translocation of a large wild carnivore, completes one year on September 17. It was on this day in 2022 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight African cheetahs flown in from Namibia into enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh-marking the culmination of decadeslong efforts that saw much deliberation and judicial interventions. The past one year, however, has only triggered further debate over whether the ambitious project is a success or a failure.

Reason: the cheetah fatalities. Of the 20 big cats translocated so far-12 were brought from South Africa in February-six died between March 27 and August 2. The cause of death ranges from renal or cardio-pulmonary failure to neck injuries (due to radio collars) resulting in septicemia. On August 13, all 14 surviving cheetahs were captured and brought back to the enclosures, pending release after the monsoon.