UP prof leading re-introduction of cheetahs to India
“Wild cheetahs are notoriously sensitive to the effects of stress during translocation and historically we have had problems with a high mortality rate.”
A 48-year-old associate professor from the University of Pretoria will embark on a journey to re-introduce cheetahs to India this month.
This is as South Africa and India signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation, according to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.
Lead veterinarian Adrian Tordiffe will ensure that the cheetahs arrive safely at Kuno national park in India.
He will also assess the disease risks to the cheetahs and evaluate risks aligned to diseases being transmitted to both domestic and wild animals.
Tordiffe has been studying cheetahs for over 15 years and works in the veterinary science faculty at Onderstepoort. He educates veterinary students on veterinary pharmacology.
“Most of my post-graduate students work on projects related to cheetah health,” said Tordiffe.
He said he was excited to reintroduce the extinct mammals to India as they could benefit the ecosystem of the country.
“To be the lead veterinarian on the project is such a privilege. I have met some amazing people through the project,” Tordiffe said.
“The reintroduction of cheetahs into India can benefit many other species that don’t necessarily have the same charisma or appeal. While this project will almost certainly benefit the worldwide cheetah population, it has the potential to benefit many other species as well,” he said.
“Wild cheetahs are notoriously sensitive to the effects of stress during translocation. Historically, we have had problems with a high mortality rate.
Adrian Tordiffe in Namibia assisting in veterinary health checks to mammal. Photo: Supplied
“We have been testing some tranquilising drugs on the cheetahs. These have proven to be very effective at keeping them calm and have dramatically reduced the number of deaths during transport.”
Tordiffe said the drugs were used on the eight cheetahs that were moved from Namibia to India.
“We are very happy with how relaxed those animals were during the journey.”
In terms of the agreement, an initial batch of 12 cheetahs is scheduled to be flown from South Africa to India in February 2023.
The cats will join eight cheetahs introduced to India from Namibia in 2022.
Following the import of the 12 cheetahs in January, the plan is to translocate a further 12 annually for the next eight to 10 years.
India suffered an extinction of cheetahs due to overhunting and loss of habitat in the previous century.
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