Field Director of Kuno National Park Uttam Kumar Sharma has told Chief Wildlife Warden Asim Shrivastava that onset of winter season is the best time to release cheetahs into the wild. At present, they have been kept in big enclosures. The decision to release cheetahs in the jungle may be taken shortly. According to wildlife experts, cheetahs cannot be kept in enclosures for a long time. If they are kept for long duration inside enclosures, then their hunting skills get affected. In the next meeting of Cheetah Steering Committee, which may be held soon, the decision to release cheetahs into the wild may be taken with other decisions. The cheetahs are inside the big enclosures since the onset of monsoon season.

 

A total 20 cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia last year. 14 adult cheetahs survived. Six cheetahs have died due to diseases. At least three cheetahs have died while living in the wild, forcing authorities to capture remaining free ranging cheetahs and bring them back to enclosures. In open jungle, two cheetahs died allegedly due to collar-related infection. A female cheetah had given birth to four cubs and of them, three have died due to extreme heat in summer season. Thus, eight cheetahs have died so far.