Have to be realistic about losses; not easy to bring back animal from extinction: Cheetah expert

The cheetahs may have to be monitored for their entire life as they are the first ones on the ground.

The first generation of the reintroduced cheetahs in India may have to be monitored for their entire life and "success will take a lot of time" as bringing an animal back from extinction in a country is not an easy process, says Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) founder Dr Laurie Marker.

The cheetahs being brought from Africa are used to other predators such as leopards and lions. However, there can be losses due to the interaction between the species in India, the American zoologist and researcher told PTI in an interview.

The CCF has closely assisted Indian authorities in re-introducing cheetahs in the country. Since 2009, Marker has been to India several times to conduct site assessments and draft plans.

The cheetah expert said growing a population with natural mortality takes time.

“We are probably looking at a success potentially in 20 years or more. The numbers will be getting augmented from Namibia and South Africa, which will keep the genetics clean and growing,” she said.

Asked about the factors conservationists would be looking at to measure the success of the project, Marker said, "We look at the adaptation of these animals, their hunting and reproduction, and we are hoping that there will be more reproduction than mortality. There should be a viable population, which should be a larger number."

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