The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India, began with great hope and excitement, aiming to bring back the magnificent cheetahs to a land they once roamed freely. However, the use of radio collars on these animals has given rise to unexpected problems. Cheetahs, which were declared extinct in India in 1952, are now facing neck injuries and bacterial infections due to the collaring process.
Collaring of Animals: A Monitoring Tool
Radio collars have become an essential tool in wildlife conservation and research, allowing scientists and conservationists to track and monitor animals in their natural habitats. These collars consist of a small radio transmitter attached to a collar worn around the animal’s neck. They provide crucial data on animal behavior, migration patterns, and population dynamics, aiding in informed decision-making for conservation efforts.
Global Practices for Radio Collaring
Since the 1970s, satellite telemetry has revolutionized wildlife tracking, enabling monitoring of individual animals over vast distances. However, there are guidelines to be followed to ensure the safety and well-being of the collared animals. One essential rule is to keep the weight of the radio collar to less than 3% of the animal’s body weight, reducing the risk of injury or discomfort. The size of the battery is also crucial, as a lighter battery would require replacement sooner, necessitating sedation of the animal, which can be stressful and potentially dangerous.
Cheetahs and Collaring Challenges
Cheetahs, known for their incredible speed and agility, present specific challenges when it comes to collaring. Their heads are not much larger than their necks, making it difficult to fit traditional collars without causing discomfort. This is especially true for younger cheetahs, as their necks are relatively slender compared to their adult counterparts. However, modern collars for wild cats typically weigh around 400g, which is light enough for cheetahs weighing between 20 kg and 60 kg.
Unexpected Setbacks: Cheetah Neck Injuries
During the dry periods, the radio-collared cheetahs in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary seemed to wear their collars without any issues. However, as the monsoon arrived, unexpected problems emerged. Some of the cheetahs developed neck wounds and septicaemia, a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the blood. Experts familiar with collaring practices in India and Africa noticed that such bacterial infections are not commonly reported in African conditions, where the skin has time to dry completely between spells of rain. Additionally, rainfall is significantly less in Africa compared to India, potentially contributing to the difference in injury rates.
Project Cheetah: A Hopeful Initiative
The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India aims to restore the cheetah population in the country, which vanished more than seven decades ago. The project involved translocation 20 radio-collared cheetahs from South Africa (12 cheetahs) and Namibia (8 cheetahs) to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. In a promising development, in March 2023, India announced the birth of four cubs from one of the eight relocated cheetahs from Namibia.