SC highlights ‘public concern’ about cheetah deaths, but leaves their welfare to experts
The Hindu
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to address the “public concern” about the deaths of six of the 20 adult cheetahs, translocated from South Africa and Namibia, at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to address the “public concern” about the deaths of six of the 20 adult cheetahs, translocated from South Africa and Namibia, at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.
Appearing before a three-judge Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the deaths, though unfortunate, were expected.
Ms. Bhati said an 11-member expert committee had been formed by the Centre to monitor the health of the surviving cheetahs. The law officer assured the court that the government would take inputs from international cheetah conservationists.
When asked about the reasons for the deaths, Ms. Bhati blamed the hot summer.
She said the cheetahs had grown “winter coats” as the season was winter in the African continent. Ms. Bhati said the winter coats had led to infection.
“Was that not expected? What steps did you take when you brought them here? What was your vision when translocating them,” Justice P.S. Narasimha asked.
Ms. Bhati said the surviving animals had been treated and were under close monitoring.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.