Abstract
Due to population viability issues, Cheetah brought to India from Africa and their Indian progeny were confined to the enclosures since 2.5 years, and fed with livestock meat and refrained from hunting in the open. Grasslands, savanna or semi-arid habitat in western Indian states of Rajasthan or Gujarat may be more suitable habitat for the African Cheetah subspecies introduction in India than the forested, hilly tracts in the Madhya Pradesh state such as Kuno national park, where their current location. Cheetah mainly dwell or hunt in the plains savanna habitat in Africa. Cheetah diet in Africa mainly consists of Antelopes (grown up weight<50 kg) or small mammals like hare and occasionally livestock such as sheep, goat comprise. Breeding and release of such small mammals in the Cheetah habitat and community participation may be helpful, than the “Chital” i.e. Spotted deer i.e. (full grown weight >80 kg) prevailing and promoted at Kuno presently.
Published Version
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