One more cheetah dies at Kuno Park, taking the toll to six
Context
On Wednesday, wildlife authorities reported that another cheetah had passed away at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The female cheetah, Dhatri, from South Africa, is believed to have acquired a parasite infection after continuously scratching its skin and injuring itself, although an autopsy is now being conducted. The 20 cheetahs that were imported from Namibia and South Africa have died six times, according to reports.
What was the reason behind the recent death of Cheetah in Kuno Park?
- At the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India, a cheetah with the name of Dhatri perished.
- Wildlife authorities have confirmed the death and are investigating the cause with a post-mortem.
- It is thought that Dhatri, a female cheetah imported from South Africa, had a parasite infection. The cheetah is thought to have continuously scratched its skin, creating sores, which led to an infection.
- The 20 cheetahs that were brought in from Namibia and South Africa to be reintroduced to the area have died six times, according to reports.
- An unnamed Project Cheetah expert speculated that the animals may be unable to adjust to the local parasites that are being transmitted by fleas and ticks, which is proving lethal for them.
- The sensitivity of the cheetahs to the local environment and climate is prompting a potential review of the program’s future animal sourcing.
How do parasites cause death to the animals?
- Blood Loss: Animals that are hosts to parasites like ticks, fleas, and lice have their blood fed to them. These parasites can significantly reduce blood flow in cases of severe infestation, which can result in anaemia and weakness. Severe anaemia can be lethal if neglected, especially in young or frail animals.
- Nutrient Depletion: Some parasites deplete the host of vital nutrients necessary for growth and maintenance by consuming the nutrients from the host’s food. Malnutrition reduced immune systems, and susceptibility to other diseases can come from this.
- Organ Damage: Certain organs or tissues in the host may be the target of parasites, which can result in organ damage or dysfunction. For instance, liver flukes can harm the liver whereas lungworms can impact the respiratory system.
- Toxin Production: Some parasites produce toxins as a natural component of their life cycle. These poisons may have several negative consequences, such as immune system suppression, organ damage, and neurological problems.
- Immune Suppression: To evade discovery and elimination, parasites might trick the host’s immune system. The animal’s resistance to various illnesses and diseases may be weakened as a result, increasing its susceptibility to secondary infections.
- Disease Transmission: Some parasites act as disease vectors, transporting infections that can seriously sick or even kill the host animal.
How can we prevent this from happening?
- Thorough Investigation: To determine the precise reasons and contributing factors of the cheetah deaths, conduct a thorough investigation. This will make it easier to pinpoint the exact threats and difficulties the cheetahs encounter in their new surroundings.
- Strengthened Veterinary Care: To identify any health issues early and administer prompt treatment, strengthen the veterinary care and monitoring for the cheetahs. The effects of parasites and other health issues can be lessened with routine checkups and preventive steps.
- Collaborate with specialists: Consult with local and worldwide cheetah conservation specialists for advice and collaboration. The involvement of knowledgeable groups and individuals can offer insightful analysis and suggestions to successfully solve the problems.
- Reconsider the environment’s fitness for the cheetahs in Kuno National Park and carefully consider the effects of the local climate and parasites on their health. This data can be used to decide whether this area is ideal for the reintroduction of cheetahs or whether there are alternative places that would be more suited for their conservation.
- Future Animals, the source Prudently: Determine where to source future batches of animals for reintroduction initiatives based on the results of the research and professional advice. To lessen potential issues with adaption, take into account cheetahs from areas with comparable weather and conditions.
- Collar Design and Management: Find ways to monitor the cheetahs without harming them by modifying the collars or addressing the issue of collar-related injuries. Protocols for collar management should be created.
