India’s Cheetah Revival Effort Hit by Tragic Loss of Three Cubs

The much-anticipated reunion of cheetahs in India has taken a devastating turn, as three of the newly born cubs have perished in the scorching heat at Kuno national park in central India. The cubs, born to a mother brought from Africa last year, were the first to be born in the country in over seven decades. Once widespread in India, cheetahs had become extinct by 1952 due to overhunting and habitat loss.

The cubs, which were initially weak and underweight, were closely monitored by veterinarians after the first cub died on Tuesday. On Thursday afternoon, the situation took a turn for the worse as the cubs appeared even weaker and dehydrated. Authorities intervened to try and save the cats, but unfortunately, two of the cubs later succumbed to their condition. The last surviving cub is currently receiving critical care in a facility.

Forest officials have not disclosed the exact cause of death, but the blistering heatwave that has gripped India is believed to have contributed to the cubs’ demise. The survival rate of cheetah cubs, both in the wild and in captivity, is notoriously low, according to experts.

The introduction of cheetahs to India was hailed as a major conservation effort, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the cats would help bolster efforts to conserve the country’s neglected grasslands. However, the revival effort has been marred by attrition, with three of the 20 adult cheetahs imported from Namibia and South Africa dying.

Despite the setbacks, conservationists are optimistic that the project can still achieve its goal of re-establishing a cheetah population in India. The country’s reclusive grasslands and shrublands, which are home to fewer than 7,000 adult cheetahs globally, are under threat from encroachment and climate change. With only around 9% of their original range remaining, the need to protect and conserve cheetah habitats is more pressing than ever.

As the fight to save the cheetah’s dwindling population continues, the tragic loss of three innocent cubs serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving our planet’s precious biodiversity.