Study raises significant concerns regarding Project Cheetah's scientific, ecological, ethical foundations

By Jag Jivan*

In a bold conservation move, India’s Project Cheetah sought to reintroduce African cheetahs into Kuno National Park (KNP) after the extinction of the native Asiatic cheetah in the 1950s. However, a recent study, Delineating the Environmental Justice Implications of an Experimental Cheetah Introduction Project in India published in Frontiers in Conservation Science and authored by Joshi, Y.C., Klarmann, S.E., & de Waal, L.C., raises significant concerns regarding the project's scientific, ecological, and ethical foundations.

Since the project’s launch, 20 African cheetahs—eight from Namibia and 12 from South Africa—were introduced to KNP. Despite initial optimism, reports indicate alarming mortality rates: 40% of adult cheetahs and nearly 30% of cubs have died. Health complications, including extreme heat stress, kidney failure, and infections, have raised questions about whether KNP provides a suitable habitat for these big cats.

Moreover, many cheetahs have been returned to enclosures due to health concerns, and no cheetahs currently roam freely in KNP. Critics argue that the initiative has prioritized political and symbolic goals over animal welfare and scientific rigor.

The study highlights social injustices faced by indigenous communities living near KNP. Historically, over 5,000 people were displaced for a proposed Asiatic lion reintroduction that never materialized. Now, with the cheetah project, local voices remain excluded from decision-making. Researchers criticize authorities for using economic vulnerability as justification for relocating communities, calling the approach exploitative and lacking in fairness.

Conservationists from India and South Africa have expressed skepticism about the project's long-term viability. Some speculate that geopolitical interests may have influenced Namibia’s cheetah donation, with reports suggesting India’s agreement to reconsider its ban on the ivory trade as part of negotiations.

Furthermore, critics argue that reintroducing African cheetahs does little to conserve their populations. Instead, they recommend investing in in-situ conservation efforts within Africa, where the species faces habitat loss and poaching threats.

The study urges policymakers to rethink the project’s approach, emphasizing the need for transparent, evidence-based conservation strategies. Ethical concerns surrounding both the welfare of the cheetahs and the rights of local communities must be addressed to ensure sustainable wildlife management.

As India continues its ambitious conservation efforts, the controversy surrounding Project Cheetah serves as a reminder that successful rewilding initiatives require not just scientific credibility but also social and ecological justice.

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*Freelance writer

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