Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Officials of Kuno National Park are preparing to release at least two cheetahs into the wild on International Cheetah Day falling on Wedensday. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has given its nod in this regard. It would be almost after a year that cheetah’s are going to be released into the wild.
One of the senior forest officers of Kuno National park on condition of anonymity said that two cheetahs have been identified which would be released into the wild and both are males. Their names are Agni and Vayu.
When contacted by Free Press, National Tiger Conservation Authority Member Secretary (NTCA) GS Bhardwaj said that work is being done as per action plan. On being asked about the possibility of releasing two cheetahs into the wild on December 4, he said ‘There is full yes from our side. It is up to the state to decide the matter related to releasing cheetahs into the wild’.
Currently there are twelve adult cheetahs inside the enclosures of Kuno. The last two free ranging cheetahs were Pawan and Veera. Namibian Cheetah Pawan used to explore new regions and Kuno officials were surprised by his adaptability to the exposed conditions of the wild.
However, it was on September that it was found dead near a nullah at Kuno. The female Cheetah Veera was also the last one to be in the wild before being recaptured and brought back to Kuno. Owing to her inquisitive behaviour, Veera had reached till the villages of Gwalior. Now, Kuno is once again all set to release two cheetahs into the wild.
Deaths still remain mystery
The mystery shrouding the deaths of two cheetah cubs of Nirvah still remains a mystery. Officials of Kuno are still waiting to get the lab report to reach any conclusion. The bodies of both cubs were found in pieces on November 27. No other cub was found inside the cave where Nirvah had littered.
