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How Kuno will manage to track Cheetahs if radio caller will be removed?

Indian wildlife authorities will test all cheetahs in Kuno National Park for signs of ruff-related skin inflammation after vets suggested fly

By Ground report 18 Jul 2023

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How Kuno will manage to track Cheetahs if radio caller will be removed?

Indian wildlife authorities will conduct tests on all cheetahs in Kuno National Park to detect any signs of ruff-related skin inflammation. This initiative comes after veterinarians suggested that fly infestations near the ruffs might be responsible for the unfortunate demise of two cheetahs.

The decision to test all cheetahs aligns with vets' recommendations but contradicts the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) earlier statement that all cheetah deaths were due to natural causes. Wildlife experts have criticized the NTCA statement, expressing concerns about transparency and honesty in conservation science.

A recent NDTV video shows forest officials examining the collar of a deceased cheetah named Suraj, revealing a maggot-infested wound around its neck.

The African wildlife tracking radio collars used for all cheetahs in Kuno lack the support of several experts. R Sreenivasa Murthy, an IFS who led the revival of the tiger population in Panna, warns that such collars can cause infection and need immediate replacement is made of synthetic materials.

"It is a polymer, initially it remains soft but with time when it is polymerised then becomes hard. If it is made of leather, it absorbs water its elasticity increases, and the animal does not suffer much from it," he added.

After Suraj's death, another cheetah named Pawan had his radio collar removed, potentially saving his life. Flies had already laid eggs in the wound on his neck, and without treatment, the maggot infestation could have killed Pawan.

The NTCA's earlier statement mentioned that all deaths were due to natural causes, but experts have disputed this claim. At least three of the five adult cheetah deaths were likely unnatural, and there are questions about the NTCA's intentions behind the statement.

The NTCA meeting acknowledged the collar issue and will now assess and possibly remove collars on a case-by-case basis for all cheetahs, including those in unfenced areas.

Cheetah experiment faces challenges

India's ambitious wildlife experiment involving the translocation of 20 cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia has faced unexpected challenges. Classified as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN list, cheetahs have not yet fully adapted to the new climatic conditions in their Indian habitat.

As part of the project, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) JS Chauhan had been supervising the cheetah experiment. However, on Monday, the government made a change in leadership, transferring JS Chauhan to the PCCF (production) office, in Bhopal.

Taking on the role of PCCF (wildlife), Bhopal is Aseem Shrivastava, an officer of the 1988 lot. The transfer came amid challenges facing the project, which officials did not anticipate.

How Kuno will manage to track Cheetahs?

To manage the tracking of cheetahs effectively after the removal of radio collars, several alternative methods can be employed. GPS collars can provide real-time location data, ensuring accurate tracking of cheetah movements. Strategically placed camera traps can capture visual information about their behaviour and population dynamics.

Satellite tracking technology offers a broader range of data, ideal for monitoring cheetahs in extensive habitats. Footprints and scat analysis provide information about their presence and activities. Camera drone surveillance helps conduct aerial surveys and locate cheetah populations.

Also, radio telemetry can still be used for short-range tracking in specific situations, allowing researchers to continue to study and protect these magnificent creatures in Kuno National Park.