Namibian cheetah Aasha gives birth to 3 cubs in Kuno; ‘indicator that animals are acclimatising’
- January 4, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Namibian cheetah Aasha gives birth to 3 cubs in Kuno; ‘indicator that animals are acclimatising’
Subject: Environment
Section: Species in news
In the news:
- Aasha, a Namibian cheetah at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, has given birth to three cubs.
- Aasha, known for her confident nature, arrived at the park in September 2022 and has adapted well, travelling over 200 km in the wild. Suspected to be pregnant after interaction with a male cheetah, Aasha has faced challenges in the past, including an encounter with villagers.
- The government is hailing it as a success for Project Cheetah. Wildlife officials see the cubs’ birth as a positive sign, indicating the cheetahs’ acclimatization to the Indian habitat, and expressing confidence in their survival.
- However, concerns arise regarding the birth occurring in an enclosure rather than in the wild, limiting exposure to natural pressures and potential learning experiences. The birth marks a significant milestone amid the relocation of 20 cheetahs to Kuno National Park from Namibia and South Africa, despite six deaths since March 2023.
About Cheetah:
- The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran.
- It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h.
- There are four recorded subspecies of Cheetahs.
- The cheetah is threatened by several factors such as habitat loss, conflict with humans, poaching and high susceptibility to diseases.
African Cheetah | Asiatic Cheetah |
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Details about the Cheetah Reintroduction Plan in India
Source: Indian Express