Radio collars are killing the cheetahs

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Context

• In Kuno national park, Madhya Pradesh, during last week 2 cheetahs died of suspected septicaemia.
• This is believed to be caused by the neck wounds which again were caused by radio collars.

Other Details

• In 3 other animals too - Oban, Elton, and Freddie, similar kinds of injuries are found.
• In India and Africa, wild cats are collared for monitoring and research purposes

Concerns regarding Radio Collars

• As per a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research Heavy radio collars are not beneficial for animals for variety of reasons –
  • Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were found in higher quantities. These bacteria can lead to sepsis or death.
  • Pressure necrosis can be caused by tight-fitting collars leading to loss of hair around the neck area.
• Rain induced humidity also exacerbated the rate of infection caused in neck wounds.

Why are cheetahs most affected?

• More furry coats are grown by Cheetah in winter. When wet it holds more water and takes longer time to dry. Over time this led to a weaker skin of Cheetah.
• Even if the caller weight is low it increases multi-fold due to movements, for example 18 times heavy for a cheetah.
• May be vulnerable to local pathogens.
• Suspected immunity loss due to stress.

Implications

• Concern for preservation of species.
• Setback for the reintroduction project of Cheetah in India.

Measures to be taken

• Keeping the weight of the collar below 3% of body weight of animals.
• Use of special collar integrating motion tracking
• Immediate need to track, immobilise, and check all introduced Cheetah for neck wounds.
• A clear roadmap for next monsoon should be developed to save Cheetah.
• Releasing cheetahs without collars should be experimented.

Kuno National Park

• It is situated in the Vindhyan Hills of Central India, Madhya Pradesh to be specific.
• In 1981 it was started as a wildlife sanctuary and in 2018 was given the status of National park.
• With a total area of 748 sq km, this park lies within the larger Kuno Wildlife Division.

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Flora

• It has tracts of lush green forests, dry savanna forests, Grasslands, etc.
• Flora is dominated by the Kardhai, Dhok, Khair and Salai trees
• Other species are – Tendu, Palash, Grewia flavescens(shrub); and grasses like Heteropogon contortus, Apluda mutica.

Fauna

Mammals –

• Indian leopard, Southeast African cheetah, jungle cat, sloth bear, dhole, Indian wolf, Indian jackal, striped hyena and Bengal fox.

Reptiles –

• Indian softshell turtle, mugger crocodile, gharial, Bengal monitor

Birds –

• More than 100 types of bird species.
• Indian white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, Egyptian vulture, crested serpent-eagle, short-toed snake eagle, Bonelli's eagle, etc.

Must Read Article:

Cheetah in India

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/cheetahs-in-india

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-kuno-cheetahs-are-at-extra-risk-due-to-their-radio-collars-8847183/