indian-born-cheetahs-at-kuno-show-remarkable-behavioural-shifts

Cubs of African cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park are displaying unexpected behavioural shifts, experts say, as they swim in rivers, drink water multiple times a day, and hunt medium-sized prey, signalling a promising local adaptation.

 

“These subtle changes in behaviours have been noticed in some cubs of the African cheetahs in Kuno. These cubs are born in Kuno National Park. But it is not a major behavioural change, just local adaptation,” said Uttam Kumar Sharma, Field Director of Kuno.

 

Several cheetah cubs were observed fearlessly crossing flooded rivers during the ongoing monsoon season, a behaviour uncommon among African counterparts. “Cheetahs typically are not swimmers for pleasure. But they will swim to cross a water body in search of prey or new home range,” explained South African cheetah expert Susan Yannetti.

 

Unlike African cheetahs that usually quench thirst from the blood of their prey and rarely drink water, Kuno cubs have been seen drinking thrice daily from water holes. Sharma explained, “Unlike African summer, the summer in Shivpuri district, under which Kuno National Park falls, is usually very harsh and the cheetahs in Kuno need to take water twice or thrice a day to escape dehydration.”

Also read: Female cheetah Dheera relocated from Kuno to MP sanctuary

 

The cubs are also exhibiting hunting behaviours atypical for solitary African cheetahs. Some sub-adult cheetahs were found hunting medium-sized blue bulls, whereas African cheetahs usually target smaller prey such as springbok and impala, except when hunting in coalitions.

 

Currently, Kuno National Park hosts 25 cheetahs, including nine adults (six females and three males) and 16 cubs and sub-adults, all born in India. Additionally, three cheetahs from Kuno have been relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. The reintroduction project brought eight cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 more from South Africa in February 2023.

 

Experts view these observations as an encouraging sign that the African cheetahs are gradually acclimatising to the Indian ecosystem, a vital factor for the success of the reintroduction initiative.