Namibian envoys says ‘fatalities normal’, attributes Cheetah deaths to new environment

Fatalities are normal if animals are sent to new environments, opined High Commissioner of Namibia Gabriel Sinimbo over the issue of the death of cheetahs brought translocated from Namibia and South Africa to India’s Madhya Pradesh. While expressing hope that the Cheetahs will soon adapt to the Indian environment, Sinimbo hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reintroducing Cheetahs into the Indian subcontinent. 

“When you are introducing animals to a new environment, there could be some challenges like fatalities. It is a part of any project of this nature,” said the Namibian High Commissioner. He expressed hope that the felines will be able to fully adapt to India’s environment. Citing relations between the two countries, Sinimbo said that the entire country is pleased with the project and that India and Namibia share a supportive relationship. 

“It's a novel project advocated by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reintroduce the large cat species and Namibia is quite pleased with this initiative, given our relationship of supporting each other,” Sinimbo said.

Supreme Court on Cheetah deaths

The death of Cheetahs after their translocation has caused a major controversy within India after four South African wildlife experts authored a letter asserting that the deaths could have been prevented through better monitoring and veterinary care. However, the apex court of India, expressing trust in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said that the bench has no reasons to disbelieve the centre. The centre in an affidavit submitted to the court had said that the death of Cheetahs is troubling but not unduly alarming. The centre has emphasised that all the Cheetahs are under close monitoring and appropriate medical care. 

Modi Government’s ambitious Cheetah Project 

Cheetahs were introduced to Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) last year by the BJP-led union government with a dedicated aim of establishing a free-ranging population. The step gained appreciation as it sought to reintroduce a species which has gone extinct in India around 70 years ago. Under the project, 20 radio-collared animals were imported from two countries Namibia and South Africa and were introduced to Kuno in two batches. Within six months, four cubs were born to Jwala taking the total tally to 24, however, three of them died. Out of 24 felines, nine including three cubs have succumbed to various factors with the last death reported on August 2.