NEW DELHI: The Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Madhya Pradesh is poised to become a key habitat for the reintroduction of cheetahs in India. Spanning 368 km² and forming part of a larger 2,500 km² landscape the sanctuary’s diverse ecosystem includes grasslands, savannah, dry deciduous forests, and riverine evergreen patches, making it an ideal habitat for cheetahs.
The initial plan is to release a maximum of 6-8 cheetahs inside the predator-proof fenced area in Gandhisagar WLS. Subsequently, the larger Gandhisagar landscape and the restored Kuno landscape can accommodate about 60-70 cheetahs. This requires enhancing the current carrying capacity and prey base of Gandhisagar WLS.
Gandhisagar WLS currently hosts around 70 leopards in its West Range. To minimize inter-species strife and ensure the cheetahs’ successful introduction, all leopards within the predator-proof fenced area will be captured and relocated before the cheetahs’ arrival. Radio-collaring at least 10 leopards to study their interactions with cheetahs is recommended as part of the research program in Gandhisagar WLS. With adequate prey base and resources, cheetahs and leopards can coexist.
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An officer from Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary said “Fencing has been done in the area where the Cheetah will be kept and it is a 28 KM area. Once the Cheetah is brought here, the Quarantine period will be around one month and the enclosures have been made for quarantine.” “To develop a sufficient prey base for re-establishing Cheetahs, the area is most suitable for increasing the prey base of herbivorous wild animals and constructing a fence in Gandhi Sagar East Game Range”, he added.
According to the Cheetah Action Plan 2024, An annual requirement of 1,560-2,080 prey animals per annum or 26-35 prey animals per km² is needed to sustain 6-8 cheetahs inside the fenced area. The current prey availability is 475 animals, augmented with 1,500 additional prey animals such as chital, blackbuck, and nilgai. The cheetahs in Gandhisagar will be managed as a metapopulation with Kuno and other sites, aiming for a long-term goal of 60-70 individuals in the Kuno-Gandhisagar landscape. This approach ensures long-term persistence and genetic diversity.
“There are around 13 leopards in our enclosure right now and we will have to relocate them. There is a conflict with Cheetah so we will have to relocate these leopards and they will relocate them from here to other national parks or wildlife sanctuaries” said the officer.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted the latest prey assessment in 2023 using line transect-based DISTANCE sampling. The predator-proof fenced area within the West Range of Gandhisagar WLS, covering 64 km², is predominantly a savannah grassland. Chinkara is the most abundant wild prey, with a population density of 7.4 individuals per km². Nilgai, with a population density of 4.4 animals per km², and other species like chital, wild pig, langur, peafowl, and hare are also present.
With cheetahs from Iran being unavailable and inappropriate for translocation, the next ideal choice would be from African countries. About 12-14 wild cheetahs (8-10 males and 4-6 females) from various parks/reserves/areas in Africa will be imported as required. The animals’ lineage and condition will be checked to ensure they are not from an excessively inbred stock and are in the ideal age group to secure a wide gene pool for the founding Indian cheetah population.
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Water availability inside the fenced area is adequate with at least one water source within a distance of 4 km from each other. During the summer, water can be a limiting resource so measures have been implemented to ensure water availability. Grasslands will be managed by deterring the growth of woody species to promote a natural prey base for cheetahs, leopards, and other endangered wildlife species.
The potential cheetah habitat, about 2,500 km², extends from the territorial divisions of Mandsaur and Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh to the Rawatbhata part of Chittorgarh Division and Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. This habitat can initially be managed as the potential buffer zone of Gandhisagar WLS before upgrading it to a protected area. A buffer zone management strategy will be developed, emphasizing incentives and livelihood enhancement for resident communities, compensation for livestock kills, mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts, and curtailment of high-impact infrastructure activities. Potential wildlife corridors need to be identified and safeguarded against conservation-hostile land use patterns.
Commitments are required from the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for the allocation of buffer zones and predator-proof enclosures for cheetah introduction and expansion. Efforts towards conservation and sustainable management can secure a suitable large landscape area of approximately 2,500 km² as an interstate cheetah conservation complex.
A veterinary team will be stationed at Gandhisagar WLS, composed of veterinarians from the NTCA, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, and WII. This team will oversee and facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive veterinary facility for cheetahs, ensuring the health and welfare of all animals in Gandhisagar before, during, and after introduction. Provisions will be made for new veterinarians to undergo training in cheetah veterinary management both at Kuno and advanced cheetah management facilities abroad. A panel of national and international veterinary experts will provide specific guidance on veterinary care, management, and husbandry of cheetahs, ensuring comprehensive and informed care at all stages of the project.
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As part of the ongoing efforts, a comprehensive Disease Risk Analysis (DRA) is being formulated for Gandhisagar WLS. This site-specific DRA builds upon previous analyses conducted during the first cheetah translocation to Kuno, utilizing systematic scientific literature searches to compile a list of potential hazards. The aim is to ensure the health and safety of the translocated cheetahs and prevent any disease transmission.
Establishment of Quarantine Facility:
Following domestic requirements for importing fields, cheetahs must undergo a minimum quarantine period of 30 days in India post-translocation. They must then be certified fit for release by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS), Government of India. A dedicated quarantine facility is being established in an isolated area within Gandhisagar WLS to facilitate this process, adhering to existing standards and modeled after Kuno’s quarantine facility designs.
The quarantine setup includes individual predator-proof electrified quarantine bomas, each with provisions for natural shade, water facilities, and enrichments tailored to emulate the cheetahs’ natural behaviours. This setup ensures the detection of any potential diseases or pathological conditions and aids in acclimatizing the cheetahs to their new environment.
Once the cheetahs obtain Quarantine Completion Certificates then they will be released from the quarantine bomas in a phased manner. Equipped with radio collars the cheetahs will be closely monitored 24/7 for the first few months post-release. A dedicated tracking team will observe and assess their fitness, activity levels, health, behaviour, hunting, habitat preferences, predation, injuries, belly scores, and any unusual signs or symptoms.
The veterinary team from Kuno will share their expertise with the Gandhisagar team and will ensure safe and humane capture and immobilization procedures. Essential medications, including capture drugs, reversal agents, life-saving medications, and supportive equipment, will be readily available in a mobile veterinary unit for emergencies.
The comprehensive action plan for Project Cheetah at Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary highlights the meticulous planning and collaborative efforts required for the successful reintroduction of cheetahs in India. From habitat restoration and prey augmentation to disease risk analysis and veterinary care, each step is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability and genetic diversity of the cheetah population. With sustained efforts and commitment, Gandhisagar WLS is set to become a model for cheetah conservation and wildlife management in India.