'Normal As...': Namibia Envoy On Cheetah Deaths In India's Kuno National Park

Namibia envoy to India Gabriel Sinimbo has said that the deaths of cheetahs in India, who were brought from Namibia, is normal only on certain conditions.

'Normal As...': Namibia Envoy On Cheetah Deaths In India's Kuno National Park

Source : PTI

High-Commissioner of Namibia to India Gabriel Sinimbo has said the deaths of several cheetahs brought from his country and South Africa to Madhya Pradesh are "normal", adding that the project involves introducing animals to a new environment, reported PTI. Sinimbo expressed hope that the felines will be able to fully adapt to India’s environment. Since March this year, as per PTI, nine of the 20 cheetahs brought from the two countries died.

"When you are introducing animals to a new environment, there could be some challenges like fatalities. It's a part of any project of this nature," Sinimbo was quoted as saying 

Under Project Cheetah, India imported 20 radio-collared animals from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh and later four cubs were born to Namibian cheetah ‘Jwala’. Nine including three cubs out of these 24 felines have so far. The last cheetah death was reported on August 2.

The cheetahs were introduced to India last year to establish a free-ranging population—for the first time since their extinction in the country 70 years ago. 

"It's a novel project advocated by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reintroduce the large cat species and Namibia is quite pleased with this initiative, given our relationship of supporting each other," Sinimbo said, according to PTI.

In a statement on July 16, the environment ministry said five out of the 20 adult cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa died due to natural causes. It added that media reports attributing the deaths to factors like radio collars were based on "speculation and hearsay without scientific evidence".

The report added that the radio collars of six cheetahs at the park have been removed for their “health examination” by veterinarians from the Kuno National Park and experts from Namibia and South Africa. A team of Kuno wildlife veterinarians and a Namibian expert regularly monitors the health of these felines. Fourteen cheetahs -- seven males, six females and a female cub -- are kept in enclosures in Kuno.

Subscribe And Follow ABP Live On Telegram: https://t.me/officialabplive