'Cheetahs To Stay In Kuno': Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav Rules Out Relocation Amid Probe On Deaths

Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav assured a dedicated team investigating recent Cheetah deaths at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Photo a cheetah brought from South Africa is released in an enclosure at Palpur (File Photo/Representational Image)

Source : PTI

Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav said on Saturday that a dedicated team was investigating the recent Cheetah deaths at Kuno National Park and that the animals would not be relocated outside Madhya Pradesh. In response to the recent deaths of Cheetahs in the state, Yadav stated that a team was formed to investigate the arrangements for the Cheetahs in the state and that international specialists were conducting a review of the situation.

"Our team is investigating the entire arrangement and testing for cheetahs, and a review is in the works. Even international experts have been enlisted for the task. We are committed to providing excellent care for the Cheetahs. Our team will also pay a visit to Kuno. We had gone over the plans earlier as well. We are aware of all concerns, but the Cheetahs will not be relocated from Madhya Pradesh," the Union Forest Minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

Previously, in July, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath stated that the state government had not developed a plan to stop the ongoing deaths of cheetahs. 

In response to the death of another Cheetah named Suraj in Kuno National Park on Friday, Congress leader Kamal Nath took to Twitter, writing, "The news of the death of the eighth cheetah was received today in Kuno National Park. Despite the continuous death of cheetahs, no such plan has come to the fore in which any initiative has been taken to preserve the lives of these wild animals."

"Making wild animals an object of adoration for political exhibitionism does not suit the elected representatives of democracy. I urge the responsible people to make such a plan soon after discussing with environmentalists and scientists, by which the lives of these creatures can be saved," his tweet read.

The cause of death of the Cheetah that died on Friday will be determined after a post-mortem, according to JS Chouhan, Principal Chief Conservator of the Forest, ANI reported. 

Chouhan told ANI, "One more male Cheetah named Suraj dieddin Kuno, bringing the total to eight. The cause of death will be determined following the post-mortem examination. Deaths occur frequently in such projects. If these deaths are occurring naturally, we should not be alarmed."