Due to the death of South African cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, the cheetah safari has not yet started there, but cheetah safari could start in Gandhi Sagar before Kuno. Preparations are in final stage. According to the agreement with South Africa, a new batch of 10 cheetahs is to arrive in December.
DFO Sanjay Raikhere says that fencing work is going on at Gandhi Sagar at a cost of Rs 17 crore. In November the sanctuary will be ready to receive the Cheetahs. There will also be a safari in Gandhi Sagar.
However, Jasbir Singh Chauhan, who was removed from the PCCF Wildlife post im Madhya Pradesh a few days ago, said that the preparations are in the advanced stage. Now it is up to the government to decide whether to send cheetahs from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar or send those coming from South Africa in the second installment to Gandhi Sagar. The preparations to rehabilitate Cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar were going on for two years.
Sufficient prey base for cheetahs
There are 15 leopards along with other wildlife in Gandhi Sagar area. When the talk of bringing cheetah started, the first concern was whether both would be able to survive in the same forest or not.
Meanwhile, a lesson was learned from Kuno that amidst the presence of leopards, the cheetahs did not face any food crisis. According to the DFO, adequate arrangements have been made for food for leopards as well as cheetahs. 266 chitals have been brought here. There are more than 150 nilgais and as many chinkaras.
PM Modi released 8 cheetahs of Namibia in Kuno on his birthday last year. After this 12 cheetahs came from South Africa. Out of a total of 20 cheetahs, 5 have died, while three out of 4 cubs born here have died.
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