Cheetah Conservation Breeding Centre at Banni Grasslands Reserve
What is the purpose of the Cheetah Conservation Breeding Centre in Banni Grasslands Reserve?
The centre aims to facilitate the conservation and breeding of cheetahs in India by providing an environment that encourages their natural courtship and mating behaviors. It’s designed to support the species’ revival in the country.
How does the Banni Grasslands Reserve’s facility differ from others like Kuno National Park?
Unlike Kuno National Park’s quarantine facilities for cheetahs, Banni’s conservation breeding centre focuses on creating open-air isolation enclosures that mimic the natural habitat conducive to cheetah mating, aiming for a higher success rate in breeding.
What are the key features of the enclosures at the breeding centre?
The centre will have three interconnected, open-air enclosures over a 120sq m area each. These include separate enclosures for males and females and a third for pairs that show mutual attraction, facilitating natural breeding with minimal human intervention.
How are mating pairs identified and managed in the centre?
A team will monitor the enclosures to identify potential mating pairs among the cheetahs. Once a pair is identified, they will be isolated in the third enclosure to encourage natural mating with as little human interference as possible.
What is the funding and timeline for the project?
The project is part of a Rs 20.5 crore initiative overseen by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), with Gujarat receiving Rs 3 crore of the Rs 6.5 crore disbursed so far. The project aims to bring cheetahs to the Banni Grasslands Reserve early next year.
Why is it important to separate males from females in cheetah conservation breeding?
Separating males from females is crucial for a higher breeding success rate because cheetahs display selective behavior in choosing their mates. This separation allows for a more controlled environment that can cater to their specific behavioral needs.
Who is overseeing the development of the Cheetah Conservation Breeding Centre?
Sandeep Kumar, the chief conservator of forests, is the project in charge. The initiative is also closely monitored by Nityanand Srivastava, the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden.
This initiative marks a significant step towards the conservation of cheetahs in India, aiming to create a sustainable environment that supports the growth of their population within a protected area.
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