Post-Monsoon Mating Planned: Kuno Authorities Set To Introduce Female Cheetah In Gandhi Sagar After Two Males

After the introduction of two six-year-old male cheetahs, Prabhash and Pavak, to the Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary, Kuno authorities are planning to relocate a female cheetah to the sanctuary following the monsoon season.

The move comes after the two cheetahs have successfully acclimated to their environment and are effectively capturing their prey, according to officials. They further noted that the cheetahs have not displayed any concerning behaviors.

This will help to expand the cheetah footprint in Madhya Pradesh, as envisioned under Project Cheetah. The distance between Gandhi Sagar and Kuno is 250 kilometers.

“We wanted the two male cheetahs to adapt and register an impressive kill score. They have managed to explore the wilderness. The second phase was to begin a mating programme,” a senior wildlife officer was quoted as saying by IE.

The chairman of the Cheetah Project Steering Committee, Dr Rajesh Gopal, said that the plan has been finalised and a female cheetah will be translocated from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar to help populate the new site.

"The move is expected to take place soon after the monsoon, once the water begins to recede. One female has already been identified for the transfer,” he added.

The decision to populate Gandhi Sagar with cheetahs is set against the stalemate in discussions with South Africa, Kenya, and Botswana to acquire a new stock of the animals.

“There are 19 cubs in Kuno, and they have adapted really well to the summer and monsoon conditions. They have even begun swimming near small rivulets during the floods," a senior official said.

"Equipped with this experience, we plan on increasing the population of Gandhi Sagar with our own stock of cheetahs,” he added, asserting that authorities will oversee the interaction between female and male cheetahs prior to their mating.