Shaurya, a Namibian cheetah translocated to Madhya Pradesh in 2022, succumbed to illness on Tuesday, prompting wildlife officials at Kuno National Park to intensify monitoring. Initially named Elton and Freddie in Namibia, Shaurya and its brother Gaurav, dubbed “The Rock Stars” in Kuno, faced challenges from the South African coalition Agni and Vayu, known as “The White Walkers.”
The tracking team noticed Shaurya’s weakness and staggering gait on January 16, leading to its tranquilization. Despite initial revival, complications arose, and the cheetah failed to respond to CPR. The exact cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem examination. Aseem Shrivastava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), highlighted the ongoing sample collection to elucidate the circumstances surrounding Shaurya’s demise.
Shaurya and Gaurav, part of a male coalition, had survived previous encounters with Agni and Vayu. Wildlife officials will now closely monitor Gaurav and release it into the wild based on its health and situational assessments. Ongoing vigilance aims to prevent potential confrontations with rival male coalitions.
Agni and Vayu, separated and recently reunited by wildlife officials, have undergone geographic shifts, with Agni traveling to Rajasthan’s border. Gaurav’s release into the wild will be carefully considered, acknowledging individual cheetahs’ survival potential.
Project Cheetah, relocating 20 animals from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park, witnessed seven adult cheetah deaths since March last year. The project, initiated in two batches in September and February, aims to reintroduce cheetahs to the region. Conservation efforts involve close monitoring, health assessments, and strategic releases to ensure the cheetah population’s successful adaptation to its new habitat.
The loss of Shaurya underscores the challenges and uncertainties inherent in wildlife conservation and translocation initiatives, prompting a thorough examination of contributing factors and continual efforts to safeguard the remaining cheetahs within the project.
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