In a significant test of India’s inter-state cheetah corridor, a female cheetah named Jwala traveled nearly 130 km from Madhya Pradesh into Rajasthan before being safely rescued.
SHEOPUR – A remarkable event has unfolded in India’s wildlife conservation efforts as a free-ranging female cheetah named Jwala made a daring journey from Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park to Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district, covering nearly 130 kilometers. This incident marks the first confirmed inter-state movement of a cheetah since the establishment of the new corridor, raising both ecological optimism and logistical concerns.
Jwala, equipped with a radio collar for tracking purposes, was first spotted on August 11 in the Manpur area of Sheopur district, accompanied by her cub. However, by the following day, she had separated from her cub and crossed the Chambal riverbanks, ultimately reaching Baler village in Rajasthan, according to officials.
On the morning of August 13, local villagers discovered Jwala inside a goat enclosure and promptly alerted the team at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Initial attempts to rescue her were complicated by her aggressive behavior, prompting the RTR officials to request assistance from the Kuno team.
The Kuno rescue team arrived by mid-morning and successfully tranquilized Jwala within 15 minutes. To prevent any potential human-wildlife conflict, they removed the goat kill before transporting her back to Kuno National Park. Upon her return, Jwala rejoined a population of 26 cheetahs, which includes nine adults and 17 Indian-born cubs, as reported by the Madhya Pradesh government on August 13.
Forest and police officials from both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan collaborated closely to ensure the safety of both the cheetah and local residents during the operation. The management team at Kuno expressed gratitude for the support received throughout the rescue efforts.
This incident occurs just months after Rajasthan was formally integrated into India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor, which spans an impressive 17,000 square kilometers across protected landscapes in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The corridor is designed to facilitate the natural movement of cheetahs and restore grassland ecosystems.
While the successful rescue of Jwala highlights the ecological potential of the corridor, it also brings to light the challenges associated with managing free-ranging predators in areas dominated by human activity. Wildlife experts have noted that such movements are indicative of healthy adaptation among the species. However, they emphasize the need for enhanced monitoring and increased community awareness to mitigate potential conflicts.
As India continues to develop its wildlife corridors, the incident involving Jwala serves as both a success story and a reminder of the complexities involved in wildlife conservation efforts.
Source: Original article