Gwalior: After about 70 years in the country, 8 cheetahs were brought to India from foreign soil. Ever since these 8 cheetahs were brought from Namibia to Kuno, people have been curious to see them. Everyone wants to see these cheetahs once. Not only this, but efforts are also going on to increase the population of cheetahs in the country. Meanwhile, good news has come out from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The news of a female cheetah named ‘Asha’ being pregnant is coming to the fore. There are 3 female cheetahs out of 8 cheetahs that came from Namibia. One of these includes ‘Asha’, a name was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. The information of ‘Asha’ giving good news has raised hope among the forest officials that soon the population of cheetahs will increase in the country.
‘Asha’ from Namibia can give good news
Officials closely monitoring the Cheetah Project in Kuno say Asha is showing all signs of being pregnant. Her behavioral, physical, and hormonal changes confirmed the pregnancy. However, an official associated with the Cheetah project said that we are excited about the indications so far but we will have to wait till the end of October to be sure.
Good news from MP’s Kuno
Laurie Marker, executive director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), said if Asha is pregnant, this is her first time. It is believed that this happened in Namibia itself, it was seen in the forest. If she has cubs, we have to give them privacy and a quiet environment. There should be no one around him. Along with this, there should be a complete arrangement for food and drink in his enclosure.
The number of cheetahs in the country is expected to increase
Dr. Laurie Marker told TOI that Asha has come through the forest, so it is possible that she might be pregnant. If so, it becomes extremely important and serious for the Cheetah project. Specially trained personnel should be deployed on the ground to assist in the management. The ‘Asha’ cheetah will need free space and a calm environment to reduce its stress. so that he can concentrate on raising his cubs. If Asha gives birth to a cub, it will be another gift after 8 cheetahs from Namibia.
‘Asha’ will be confirmed pregnant in 55 days
On September 17, 8 cheetahs were brought from Namibia to Kuno in Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Modi himself left these cheetahs in Kuno Park on his birthday. Many preparations were made to make these cheetahs feel at home in the new house. WII-Dehradun and MP Forest Department are continuously monitoring them. An official, requesting anonymity, said that yes, there is a sign of Asha’s pregnancy, but we will have to wait a few weeks for confirmation. Normally it takes 55 days for confirmation.
The security of cheetah cubs is also a big tension
Another challenge in Project Cheetah is that cheetah cub mortality due to large predators in non-protected areas is higher in protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In such areas, the cheetah cub mortality rate can be as high as 90 percent. At birth, cubs weigh from 240 g to 425 g and are blind and helpless. The CCF says that after a day or two, the mother will have to release the cubs to her hunt so that she can continue to care for them.
This is the most difficult period for the cubs, as they are left unprotected. At present, necessary preparations are being made for this also. The female cheetah will take care of the cubs for about a year and a half when they arrive. After this, the cubs start chasing their mother. When she is looking for prey. However, for some months he cannot walk far or fast.
