Keywords: Kuno Cheetah, Translocation, Supreme Court, 50% mortality, Cause of Alarm
On Thursday, the Centre informed the Supreme Court of India that the death of fifty percent of the eight cheetahs translocated from Africa to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park within a week was not alarming as it had been anticipated.
In response to the Court’s inquiry about the nearly forty percent cheetah mortality rate, Additional Solicitor-General Aishwarya Bhati stated that the highest authorities were aware of the situation, and the project was of great importance to the nation, with significant efforts being made. The deaths were expected as part of the translocation process, and a mortality rate of up to fifty percent during the first year was not considered significantly alarming. The status report presented to the Court included comprehensive details, taking various factors into account.
A panel of three justices, namely BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Prashant Kumar Mishra, presided over the plea submitted by an expert committee responsible for guiding and directing the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program. The expert committee urged the Supreme Court to instruct the NTCA to keep them informed about the latest developments and to consider their advice and submissions.
During the hearing, the Court expressed concern about the 40% cheetah mortality rate and raised the possibility of relocating the cheetahs elsewhere. Senior Advocate Prashanto Chandra Sen, representing the expert committee, requested an expedited listing of the matter and informed the Court that eight cheetahs had died. Justice Gavai also inquired about the total number of cheetahs involved, to which Additional Solicitor-General Bhati responded that a total of 20 cheetahs were brought from Africa, and four cheetahs were born in India.
Lisa Gupta, NUSRL, Ranchi Semester 3, an intern under Legal Vidhiya
