Eight cheetah deaths in under a year does not present a good picture, Supreme Court tells Centre

SC urges Centre to move cheetahs to more conducive environment, not make it a "prestige issue". Eight cheetahs died in one year, the Supreme court expresses concern & asks Centre to file detailed affidavit on circumstances leading to deaths. SC suggests shifting cheetahs to Rajasthan.

The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Union Government that the deaths of 40% of the 20 cheetahs brought from South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno National Park (KNP) in under a year is does not present a good picture.

A Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai urged the government to move the big cats to a more conducive environment, if required, and not make it a “prestige issue”.

“Eight cheetahs dying out of a total 20 brought here in just one year does not present a good picture. Last week alone two died. You should look at other possibilities, like transferring them to other sanctuaries irrespective of which State government is running them.. Why are you making this a prestige issue?” the court asked the government.

Also Read | One more cheetah dies at Kuno National Park

Additional Solicitor-General Aishwarya Bhati, for the Centre, said the deaths though unfortunate were expected. She said there were several reasons leading to the deaths. The cheetah project was prestigious and the authorities are exploring various options for the well-being of the animals.

“If the project was so prestigious for the country then so many deaths in less than a year does not present a good picture,” the Bench reacted.

The court asked the law officer to file a detailed affidavit on the circumstances leading to the deaths and posted the case for further hearing on August 1.