Authorities in Kuno National Park (KNP) are using various measures to help cheetahs beat the scorching summer heat, from using water guzzlers to laying a 13-km-long pipeline and filling dry nullahs with lifted water to using water spray.
Out of the 27 cheetahs, 25, including 14 cubs, are in Soft Release Bomas (SRBs), while two others are in the free range, according to officials.
The day temperature on Monday at Palpur was around 48 degrees Celsius, and Kuno's Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Thirukural R mentioned that KNP experienced dusty, dry, and hot summer winds. He added that the weather conditions are challenging for the cheetahs and other wildlife.
Thirukural R also stated that KNP management had planned to cope with the heat well before the summer.
"We planned to lift water from the Kuno river running adjacent to Palpur and distribute it inside SRBs by spreading a network of pipelines," he said.
Two solar pumps (5HP & 15 HP) lifted and distributed the water as far as five km away.
"A 13-km long pipeline is laid. Additionally, water saucers and water guzzlers were constructed in each SRB, while lifted water was released into dry streams inside SRBs," he said.
The DFO said these measures not only created additional water sources but also made trees on the banks of the dry streams green, eventually cooling the place.
These cooled places protect the cheetahs, especially mothers with cubs, from this scorching heat.
"We are also using water spray to make surroundings cooler regularly, wherever needed," he said.
As part of the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs (five females and three males) were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17, 2022. In February 2023, an additional 12 cheetahs from South Africa were introduced to the park.
Currently, there are 27 cheetahs in KNP, including 14 cubs that were born on Indian soil.
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