Cheetah

Context:

For the first time since the launch of India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Project, an Indian-born female cheetah named Mukhi has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. This marks a major breakthrough because until now, only imported African cheetahs had reproduced.

UPSC PYQ:

Q. Consider the following: (2012)

1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

About Cheetah:

• As keystone species, cheetahs play a vital role in sustaining productive ecosystems by regulating the food chain and maintaining healthy herbivore populations.
• The gestation period is between 90 to 95 days.
• Cheetahs are big cats known for being the world’s fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 60-70 miles per hour. 
• They can be differentiated from other big cats by their narrow shoulder blades and long limbs, which they use to reach their top speeds.
• Interestingly, cheetahs are one of the only big cats that cannot roar; instead, they chirp, purr, and make other vocalizations.
• Females live independently or with their cubs, who stay with their mother until about 18 months of age. 
• Once found throughout Africa and Asia, cheetahs now inhabit around 10% of their historic range. They are found in southern and eastern Africa, with a small critically endangered population of Asiatic cheetahs in Iran. 

 Project Cheetah?

• India launched Project Cheetah in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs, extinct in the country for over 70 years.
• Implementation and Governance: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, implements Project Cheetah in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa were relocated to Kuno National Park, where they exhibited natural behaviors. 

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