The incident has sparked a debate on wildlife management and human-animal interactions following the reintroduction of cheetahs to India.
**Inquiry Launched After Viral Video Shows Forest Worker Giving Water to Cheetahs**
**Inquiry Launched After Viral Video Shows Forest Worker Giving Water to Cheetahs**
Disciplinary actions are underway against a forest worker filmed providing water to cheetahs at Kuno National Park, raising safety and protocol concerns.
Renewed attention has been drawn to Kuno National Park in India after a viral video surfaced, showing a forest worker giving water to a cheetah and her cubs. This has prompted authorities to commence disciplinary actions against the unidentified driver, who reportedly breached established protocols by approaching the animals. According to park officials, only authorized personnel are permitted to interact closely with the cats to ensure safety for both animals and humans.
The cheetah conservation effort began when the species was reintroduced to India in 2022 after being declared extinct in 1952. Over the past year, videos capturing interactions between humans and cheetahs have stirred mixed reactions. This particular incident became widely discussed over the weekend, as the video portrayed a tender moment of the cheetah family drinking from a metal pan after the worker was encouraged by unseen onlookers.
Uttam Kumar Sharma, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, commented on the necessity of trained personnel to mitigate human-cheetah confrontations. He emphasized that the staff is directed to encourage cheetahs to retreat back into the forest rather than fostering dependence on human intervention for water.
While initial media portrayals described the incident as "heartwarming," social media discourse shifted focus to potential risks involved in such encounters. Many users argued for the development of permanent water sources within the park to prevent cheetahs from venturing too close to human settlements, particularly as clashes have occurred with rural communities nearby. Livestock attacks have triggered fear and tensions, with villagers sometimes resorting to stone-pelting to protect their property.
Since the inception of the reintroduction program, a total of 20 cheetahs have been relocated from South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno National Park, yet concerns about some animals' welfare have surfaced. So far, eight cheetahs have passed away, with experts citing recommendations for improved animal healthcare and monitoring practices. In 2023, a letter from South African and Namibian specialists indicated that certain cheetah fatalities might have been avoidable through better veterinary support.
Despite these challenges, Kuno currently hosts 26 cheetahs, consisting of both wild and enclosed individuals. In an optimistic turn of events, Indian officials plan to bring in another 20 cheetahs from South Africa this year, fostering hopes for strengthening the population and enhancing conservation efforts.
For continuous updates on wildlife conservation and related issues, follow BBC News India through their social media platforms.
The cheetah conservation effort began when the species was reintroduced to India in 2022 after being declared extinct in 1952. Over the past year, videos capturing interactions between humans and cheetahs have stirred mixed reactions. This particular incident became widely discussed over the weekend, as the video portrayed a tender moment of the cheetah family drinking from a metal pan after the worker was encouraged by unseen onlookers.
Uttam Kumar Sharma, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, commented on the necessity of trained personnel to mitigate human-cheetah confrontations. He emphasized that the staff is directed to encourage cheetahs to retreat back into the forest rather than fostering dependence on human intervention for water.
While initial media portrayals described the incident as "heartwarming," social media discourse shifted focus to potential risks involved in such encounters. Many users argued for the development of permanent water sources within the park to prevent cheetahs from venturing too close to human settlements, particularly as clashes have occurred with rural communities nearby. Livestock attacks have triggered fear and tensions, with villagers sometimes resorting to stone-pelting to protect their property.
Since the inception of the reintroduction program, a total of 20 cheetahs have been relocated from South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno National Park, yet concerns about some animals' welfare have surfaced. So far, eight cheetahs have passed away, with experts citing recommendations for improved animal healthcare and monitoring practices. In 2023, a letter from South African and Namibian specialists indicated that certain cheetah fatalities might have been avoidable through better veterinary support.
Despite these challenges, Kuno currently hosts 26 cheetahs, consisting of both wild and enclosed individuals. In an optimistic turn of events, Indian officials plan to bring in another 20 cheetahs from South Africa this year, fostering hopes for strengthening the population and enhancing conservation efforts.
For continuous updates on wildlife conservation and related issues, follow BBC News India through their social media platforms.
