In Kuno National Park, India, a forest worker has come under scrutiny after a video surfaced showing him pouring water for a cheetah and her cubs. This incident has raised alarms about adherence to safety guidelines in place for interacting with wild cheetahs, which were reintroduced to India in 2022 following their extinction in the country for over 70 years.
The worker, identified as a driver at the sanctuary, was seen responding to urging from unseen bystanders to provide water, resulting in a close encounter with the animals. However, park officials quickly emphasized that such actions are against established protocols which permit only trained personnel to approach the cheetahs.
"There's a clear directive to maintain distance from the cheetahs," stated Uttam Kumar Sharma, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. "Only those authorized are allowed to fulfill specific tasks near them." He mentioned that the intentional act of luring cheetahs back into the forest through human interaction is usually performed by trained personnel as a precautionary measure to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.
Social media reactions to the video have been mixed, with some calling it "heartwarming" and others raising concerns regarding the safety risks posed to both humans and animals. Many advocate that the authorities should instead consider the development of ponds and water bodies within the park boundaries to sustainably provide water to the cheetahs, minimizing their need to venture closer to human habitats in search of resources.
The reintroduction program has faced challenges, as sightings of the big cats near village fields have led to livestock predation, creating tensions among local communities. Reports surfaced last month indicating villagers resorted to throwing stones at cheetahs in frustration. Park management has been actively working to educate communities about coexisting with the newfound wildlife.
The initiative to reintroduce the cheetahs involved relocating 20 cats from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park, marking an important step in wildlife conservation. Despite some significant setbacks, including the deaths of eight cheetahs attributed to various health issues, authorities maintain that there are currently 26 cheetahs in the park, with 17 in the wild.
Concerns have been voiced from international conservationists regarding the oversight and management of the program, particularly about the necessity for better veterinary care and monitoring of animal health. In response to these claims, park officials have maintained that they are committed to the success of the reintroduction.
The Indian government plans to further bolster the population of cheetahs by acquiring 20 more individuals from South Africa this year, with preparations already underway.
As discussions continue around the balance of wildlife reintroduction and human interaction, the Kuno National Park case serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in conserving endangered species while protecting both wildlife and human communities.
The worker, identified as a driver at the sanctuary, was seen responding to urging from unseen bystanders to provide water, resulting in a close encounter with the animals. However, park officials quickly emphasized that such actions are against established protocols which permit only trained personnel to approach the cheetahs.
"There's a clear directive to maintain distance from the cheetahs," stated Uttam Kumar Sharma, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. "Only those authorized are allowed to fulfill specific tasks near them." He mentioned that the intentional act of luring cheetahs back into the forest through human interaction is usually performed by trained personnel as a precautionary measure to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.
Social media reactions to the video have been mixed, with some calling it "heartwarming" and others raising concerns regarding the safety risks posed to both humans and animals. Many advocate that the authorities should instead consider the development of ponds and water bodies within the park boundaries to sustainably provide water to the cheetahs, minimizing their need to venture closer to human habitats in search of resources.
The reintroduction program has faced challenges, as sightings of the big cats near village fields have led to livestock predation, creating tensions among local communities. Reports surfaced last month indicating villagers resorted to throwing stones at cheetahs in frustration. Park management has been actively working to educate communities about coexisting with the newfound wildlife.
The initiative to reintroduce the cheetahs involved relocating 20 cats from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park, marking an important step in wildlife conservation. Despite some significant setbacks, including the deaths of eight cheetahs attributed to various health issues, authorities maintain that there are currently 26 cheetahs in the park, with 17 in the wild.
Concerns have been voiced from international conservationists regarding the oversight and management of the program, particularly about the necessity for better veterinary care and monitoring of animal health. In response to these claims, park officials have maintained that they are committed to the success of the reintroduction.
The Indian government plans to further bolster the population of cheetahs by acquiring 20 more individuals from South Africa this year, with preparations already underway.
As discussions continue around the balance of wildlife reintroduction and human interaction, the Kuno National Park case serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in conserving endangered species while protecting both wildlife and human communities.
