Type: op-ed snap

What’s the news?

• Tblisi, a female cheetah translocated from Namibia, has died at Kuno National Park. This is the ninth cheetah to die at Kuno, including three of the four cubs born there. With 30% of the 20 translocated cheetahs dead in just over four months, the alarm bells are ringing.

Central idea

• To safeguard our natural heritage, societies endowed with ethics and financial resources often reintroduce locally extinct species to benefit from the ecosystem services they provide. The cheetah’s historical presence in India, its role as an evolutionary force, and its potential as a flagship species for conservation highlight the importance of this reintroduction effort.

Historical Presence of Cheetahs in India

• The historical presence of cheetahs in India can be traced back to ancient times.
• Prehistoric cave paintings, ancient texts, and the Sanskrit origin of the name cheetah provide evidence of its indigenous nature in the Indian subcontinent.
• Recent genetic analysis has also confirmed that the extinct Indian cheetah originated in Persia.
• Several Ethiopian fauna, such as the lion, the striped hyena, honey badger, caracal, and gazelles including the cheetah, are believed to have colonized India through Persia during ancient periods.

Cheetah’s Role as an Evolutionary Force

• Prey Population Control: By chasing and catching its prey, the cheetah naturally removes weak, sick, and young individuals from the population. This process ensures that only the fittest individuals survive, leading to a healthier and stronger prey population.
• Maintaining Biodiversity: As a top carnivore, the cheetah plays a vital role in regulating the population of herbivores, such as the blackbuck, which is its major prey species. By controlling herbivore populations, the cheetah indirectly influences the abundance and distribution of other plant and animal species in the ecosystem, thereby contributing to biodiversity.
• Balancing Ecosystem Dynamics: The cheetah’s presence helps maintain a balance between predator and prey species. This ecological equilibrium is essential for the overall stability and health of the ecosystem.
• Ecosystem Services: Cheetahs, like other top carnivores, provide ecosystem services by influencing the behavior and distribution of their prey species. This, in turn, affects vegetation dynamics and nutrient cycling, contributing to the overall functioning of the ecosystem.

Economic Benefits of Reintroduction

• Ecotourism Revenue: Reintroducing cheetahs can boost ecotourism in the regions where they are present. Tourists from India and around the world are likely to visit these areas to witness the magnificent cheetahs in their natural habitat.

• Employment Opportunities: The growth of ecotourism and wildlife-related activities creates employment opportunities for local residents. Jobs in hospitality, guiding, park management, and conservation efforts can improve the livelihoods of nearby communities.
• Community-Based Ecotourism: The presence of cheetahs can encourage the development of community-based ecotourism initiatives. Local communities can actively participate in tourism ventures, leading to a sense of ownership and empowerment.
• Sharing of Gate Receipts: Revenue generated from ecotourism and wildlife tourism can be shared with nearby buffer zone villages. This revenue-sharing model incentivizes local communities to support and protect the cheetah population, fostering positive attitudes towards conservation.
• Increase in Real Estate Value: Areas surrounding national parks and wildlife reserves with cheetah populations may experience an increase in real estate value due to their proximity to these ecologically significant regions.
• Research and Education Opportunities: The reintroduction of cheetahs presents opportunities for research and educational programs. Institutions and researchers can conduct studies on cheetah behavior, ecology, and conservation, contributing to scientific knowledge and environmental education.
• Wildlife-Based Enterprises: The presence of cheetahs can encourage the development of wildlife-based enterprises, such as handicrafts, souvenirs, and local products, catering to tourists interested in supporting local communities and conservation efforts.
• Positive Perception: Successful reintroduction projects can enhance India’s international image as a country committed to wildlife conservation and ecological restoration. This positive perception can attract international support and collaborations for further conservation initiatives

Challenges in Reintroduction and Conservation

• Mortality Risks: During the reintroduction process, cheetahs may face various mortality risks, such as snaring, attacks by leopards and feral dogs, starvation, disease, and road kills.

• Adaptation to Indian Conditions: The cheetahs being reintroduced are originally from Southern Africa, which has a different climate and photoperiod than India.
• Enclosed Protected Areas: Some cheetahs have experienced management-related deaths within enclosed protected areas, such as cubs dying due to malnourishment and females being killed by males.
• Disease Management: Cheetahs may be susceptible to certain diseases in the Indian environment.
• Genetic Diversity: The reintroduced population may suffer from reduced genetic diversity due to the small number of individuals initially brought in. A lack of genetic diversity can lead to inbreeding depression and hamper the long-term viability of the population.
• Interactions with Livestock: Cheetahs may occasionally prey on livestock, leading to conflicts with local communities.

Way forward

• Scientific Research and Planning: Conduct thorough scientific research to understand the ecological requirements of cheetahs, their prey species, and the potential habitats for reintroduction. Develop a detailed plan that addresses the challenges, risks, and opportunities involved in the reintroduction process.
• Habitat Restoration and Protection: Identify and restore suitable habitats for cheetahs, ensuring sufficient prey availability and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. Implement measures to protect these habitats from further fragmentation and encroachment.
• Disease Management: Implement disease surveillance and management protocols to monitor the health of reintroduced cheetahs and prevent the spread of diseases to other wildlife and domestic animals.
• Genetic Diversity: Ensure genetic diversity among the reintroduced cheetah population by carefully selecting individuals from different sources and considering genetic health in the reintroduction process.
• International Collaboration: Foster collaboration with other countries, such as Namibia and South Africa, from where the cheetahs are sourced, to ensure the welfare and continued support for the reintroduced cheetahs.
• Public Awareness: Raise public awareness about the importance of cheetah conservation and the ecological role of these majestic animals. Educate people about the benefits of coexisting with cheetahs and supporting their reintroduction.

Conclusion

• Reintroducing cheetahs to India is a crucial step towards ecological security. With continued efforts, support from the government, and active involvement of local communities, the cheetah’s return to the Indian landscape can become a symbol of successful conservation and sustainability.

Also read:

Radio collars are killing the cheetahs in Kuno. Here is how — and why

What’s the news?

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare banned the manufacture, sale, and distribution of ketoprofen and aceclofenac and their formulations for animal use under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 40) in a notification dated July 31, 2023

Central idea

• Experts dedicated to vulture conservation have warmly welcomed this initiative, recognizing it as a game changer for India’s beleaguered vulture population. However, the true test lies in the effective implementation of the ban, while the experts also advocate for extending similar protective measures to other raptors (birds of prey).

What are Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac?

• Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and alleviate fever. They belong to the same class of medications, but have slight differences in their chemical structures and properties.

Background

• In the 1990s, India witnessed a sharp decline in its vulture populations due to the use of diclofenac, a pain reliever administered to cattle.
• Vultures feeding on cattle carcasses ingested the drug, leading to their painful deaths.
• The alarming revelation in 2004 showed that 97% of the vulture population had been lost, primarily affecting species like oriental white-backed vultures, long-billed vultures, and slender-billed vultures.

The Vulture Recovery Plan

• In response to the crisis, the Indian government and various agencies formulated a Vulture Recovery Plan in 2004.
• The plan aimed to ban the veterinary use of diclofenac, find safer substitutes, and establish conservation breeding centers for vultures.
• Since vultures are slow breeders and have long lifespans, any increase in the annual mortality rate above 5% could threaten their survival.
• In 2006, the use of diclofenac as a veterinary drug was banned and later gazetted in 2008.
• The ban prompted the recommendation to use the safer drug, meloxicam, as an alternative.
• Despite this progress, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ketoprofen and aceclofenac, still pose a threat to vultures.

Threats posed by Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac to vultures

• Conversion to Toxic Metabolites: When cattle or other livestock are treated with ketoprofen or aceclofenac, these drugs can be metabolized and converted into toxic compounds, such as diclofenac. Diclofenac is extremely harmful to vultures and can cause kidney failure and death when they consume the carcasses of treated animals.
• Slow Metabolism in Vultures: Vultures have a slow metabolism compared to other birds, which makes them more susceptible to the harmful effects of these drugs. The accumulation of toxic metabolites in their bodies over time can lead to severe health issues and fatalities.
• Scavenging Behavior: Vultures are obligate scavengers, meaning they primarily feed on carrion (dead animals). However, this scavenging behavior makes them highly vulnerable to ingesting contaminated animal remains.

Challenges in Implementation

• Conflicting Situations on the Ground: One of the key challenges in implementing the ban is the presence of conflicting situations on the ground. While many experts and organizations support the ban to protect vultures, there may be opposing views from stakeholders who have vested interests in the use of these drugs.
• Role of State and Central Governments: While the ban decision comes from the central government, it is essential to observe how the state and central governments collaborate to enforce the prohibition effectively.
• Immediate Implementation and Awareness: The ban has been introduced without a specified date for implementation, making it an immediate measure. This calls for swift action from state authorities and relevant agencies to ensure that the ban is followed promptly.
• Potential Opposition to the Ban: Given the significance of livestock and agriculture in India, there may be opposition to the ban from certain quarters, who rely on the use of Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac for animal treatment.
• Extending Safety Measures to Other Raptors: Ensuring the safety of drugs for other raptors might require additional research and testing to understand potential risks and adverse effects on these birds.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Enforcement: Collaborate closely between state and central governments to ensure effective enforcement of the ban. Implement regular inspections and penalties for non-compliance to deter violations.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Conduct comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate veterinarians, farmers, drug suppliers, and the public about the ban’s importance for vulture conservation.
• Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Set up a robust monitoring system to assess the ban’s effectiveness in curbing drug usage and its impact on vulture populations.
• Research and Safe Alternatives: Explore safer alternatives to Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac for veterinary use that do not harm vultures or the environment.
• Extend Safety Measures to Other Raptors: Conduct studies to determine the safety of drugs for other raptor species and consider their conservation needs in regulatory measures.
• International Collaboration: Engage in international collaborations to share knowledge and experiences in vulture conservation and protect these birds globally

Conclusion

• The ban on ketoprofen and aceclofenac marks a positive development in vulture conservation efforts in India. To ensure success, immediate action is required, and public awareness should be raised. The collective efforts of the government, experts, and stakeholders are essential to safeguard India’s vultures and preserve their ecological importance

Also read:

Efforts for Vulture Conservation