The reason for the death of cheetahs was the radio collar worn by them: South African expert involved in the project claims, septicemia caused by bacteria

The reason for the death of two cheetahs in a week in MP’s Kuno National Park is the infection caused by the radio collar worn around their neck. Due to the radio collar, moisture remained around the neck and bacteria grew. Because of this the cheetahs got septicemia which led to their death. So says South African cheetah metapopulation specialist Vincent van der Merwe.

Merve was in Mongolia on Saturday. News agency PTI spoke to Merve. He told that both the male cheetahs died due to septicemia. Septicemia is a serious blood infection. Due to this, poison starts forming in the blood.

Radio collars have been fitted around their necks for safety and tracking of cheetahs’ movements.

The male cheetah Suraj, brought from South Africa, died on Friday while the male cheetah Tejas died on Tuesday.

Merve said that radio collars are causing infection due to being wet. Wounds around the cheetah’s neck were not wounds sustained during mating or in a fight with another animal. They were cases of dermatitis and myiasis followed by septicemia.

Merwe said he manages the Cheetah Metapopulation Project in South Africa on behalf of The Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative. He was also involved in bringing cheetahs from South Africa to India.

When asked about the fate of Project Cheetah in India, he said, 75 per cent of the population of cheetahs sent to India are still alive and healthy. This number of deaths is within normal parameters for the reintroduction of wild cheetahs. That is, everything is still on track right now.

Eight cheetahs died in 4 months, second death in a week

Eight cheetahs have died in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park in the last four months. Officials said that they are trying to find out the exact reason behind the death of cheetah Suraj.

Cheetahs returned to the country after 70 years, when on 17 September 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 8 cheetahs from Namibia at Kuno National Park on his birthday. On February 18 this year, 12 more cheetahs from South Africa were released in Kuno. That means a total of 20 leopards were brought.

when did cheetahs die

March 26, 2023: Sasha dies of kidney infection
Sasha, a 4-year-old female cheetah brought from Namibia, died of a kidney infection. The Forest Department said that on August 15, 2022, Sasha’s blood test was done in Namibia, in which the level of creatinine was more than 400. This confirms that Sasha had kidney disease before he was brought to India. After Sasha’s death, the number of cheetahs decreased to 19.

March 27, 2023: Jwala gives birth to 4 cubs
Jwala, a female cheetah brought from Namibia, had given birth to four cubs. With this, the number of cheetahs including cubs in Kuno has gone up to 23.

This photo of 4 cubs of a female cheetah Jwala was released by Kuno National Park.

23 April 2023: Uday, the male cheetah, died of a heart attack.
Uday, a cheetah brought from South Africa, died. It was told in the short PM report that Cheeta Uday died due to cardiac artery failure. Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Wildlife Warden JS Chauhan said that the cheetah died due to stoppage of blood circulation in the heart artery. This is also a type of heart attack. After this, the number of cheetahs including cubs remained 22 in the coon.

This video is of Kuno National Park. Male cheetah falls while walking. after that it dies

May 9, 2023: Female cheetah Daksha died during mating
Daksha was brought to Kuno from South Africa. JS Chauhan told that mail leopard was sent for mating in Daksha’s enclosure. During the meeting itself, there was a violent interaction between the two. The male leopard had injured Daksha by hitting it with its paw. Later he died. After this, the number of cheetahs including cubs remained 21 in the coon.

May 23, 2023: Death of a cub of Jwala
A cub of the female cheetah Jwala died. JS Chauhan told that these cubs were living in wild conditions. On May 23 it was extremely hot in Sheopur. The temperature was 46 to 47 degree Celsius. Hot wind and heatwave continued throughout the day. In such a situation, excessive heat, dehydration and weakness can be the reason for its death. After this, the number of cheetahs including cubs in Kuno remained 20.

May 25, 2023: Two more cubs of Jwala die
After the death of the first cub, three others were kept under the care of doctors. Two more of these died. It has come to light that their health deteriorated due to high temperature and heat stroke. The condition of the only surviving cub is still critical. After this, only 18 cheetahs including one cub are left in Kuno.

11 July 2023: Death of Mail Cheetah Tejas
Cheetah Tejas died. There was a wound on his neck, seeing which it is being speculated that Tejas has lost his life in the mutual struggle of cheetahs.

July 14, 2023: Death of Mel Cheetah Suraj

A wound has been found on the neck of Cheetah Surat. It is being speculated that Tejas has lost his life in the mutual struggle of cheetahs.

Why is the process of killing cheetahs not stopping?
A South African study documented 293 cheetah deaths. In this, the rate of death of cheetahs has been told. It told that…

15% of cheetahs die due to these three reasons. That is, one out of every seven cheetahs die due to the rest of the arrangements made for their care and maintenance.

In this study, the biggest cause of death of cheetahs is hunting at 53.2%. Lions, leopards, hyenas and jackals were said to be mainly responsible for this.

Apart from these, it was reported in the study that many other wildlife including warthogs, baboons, snakes, elephants, crocodiles, vultures, zebras and even ostriches have also killed cheetahs.

Cheetah cubs survive with great difficulty. This is the main reason for the extinction of this animal. Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Wildlife Warden JS Chauhan says that the chances of survival of cheetah cubs in the wild are only 10-20%.

Wild life expert Vincent van der Merwe, manager of the Cheetah Metapopulation Project in South Africa, has described the death of three cubs as normal. He added that there would be more deaths in the future.

He said it was very unfortunate, but it is not uncommon for female cheetahs to lose their first cubs for the first time. He pointed out that cheetahs naturally have a high mortality rate. We’ve seen similar mortality rates in Africa when we reintroduced them into unfenced systems.

The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries also agreed with van der Merwe, saying it was not a cause for concern. The department said that relocation of large carnivores is a very complex and inherently risky move.

This is the critical phase of the project, in which cheetahs are being released in large areas, where control over them is decreasing. There will be increased risks of injury and mortality and these risks have been factored into the relocation plan.

The department said it expects some of the initial cheetahs to die within the first year after release. Many of the released cheetahs will move beyond the boundaries of Kuno National Park and may undergo short-term stress in the meantime. Once the cheetahs make their home range, the situation will stabilise.

Is the ongoing Cheetah project in India in danger?
It has already been said in the Cheetah project that out of 20 cheetahs that came in the first year, if even 10 i.e. 50% survive, then this project will be considered successful. Wildlife expert Adrian Tordiff of Pretoria University in South Africa said in a conversation that there is a flaw in this project, it is too early to say anything on it.

He told that it will be a matter of concern when there are repeated deaths due to the same reason. Cheetahs were shifted from Namibia to Kuno under Tordif’s supervision. Tordif said that this is a unique project.

It is not a precedent to follow, as it is the first time it has been done on such a large scale. That’s why we will get learning from this project.

He said that those who say that this is just a big experiment. Yes, this is a big experiment. How else do you do in science? But the most important thing is that you do not throw animals out there, but watch what happens to them. Try to learn as you go along.

Adrian Tordif said that people also say that you are not sticking to the action plan. For me the action plan is a very stable document. It gives you a framework to work from, but if it’s too restrictive, it means you can’t really adapt to unforeseen circumstances, as you try to anticipate every problem you come across. going to face.

Also read these news related to the death of cheetahs in Coon…

Another cheetah died in Kuno: Male cheetah injured by clawing during mating
Female cheetah Daksha has died in Kuno National Park, Sheopur. Mail Cheetah was sent to Daksha’s enclosure for mating. During the meeting itself, there was a violent interaction between the two. The male leopard had injured Daksha by hitting it with its paw, due to which he died. read full news

Death of Cheetah Uday brought from South Africa

Another cheetah has died in Kuno National Park. Uday, a cheetah brought from South Africa, succumbed during treatment after falling ill. The causes of death are yet to be ascertained. read full news

Cheetah Sasha died in Kuno, had kidney infection

One of the cheetahs brought from Namibia in Kuno National Park, 4-year-old female cheetah Sasha has died. She was suffering from kidney ailment. read full news