As India’s bid to reintroduce cheetahs gains momentum and sparks controversy, scientists are engaged in a debate over which subspecies to select for the project. The disagreement centers around whether the native Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) should be chosen due to its critical endangerment and ethical implications.
Supporters of a purist approach argue that only the Asiatic cheetah, which was once found across the Indian Subcontinent, should be considered for reintroduction. However, conservationists are faced with the harsh reality that the number of Asiatic cheetahs is rapidly declining, with only a few remaining in the wild. This situation raises ethical concerns and calls into question the feasibility of an immediate reintroduction.
A recent status report submitted to the Indian government by international experts emphasizes the “Taxonomic Concerns” surrounding the Asiatic cheetah. It states that the precarious population of this subspecies makes it impractical for immediate reintroduction. As a result, conservationists are now exploring alternative subspecies that share genetic similarities with the Asiatic cheetah in their efforts to revive this species in India.
According to the report, phylogeographic analyses using mitochondrial markers and single nucleotide polymorphisms indicate that the North and West African subspecies are the closest relatives to the Asiatic cheetah among other African subspecies.
The report also highlights the vulnerable status of the North and West African subspecies, with only three significant populations remaining. There are approximately 25 individuals near the Benin-Niger border, 191 on the Algeria-Mali border, and 238 on the Chad-Central African Republic border. These populations are believed to be declining, and it is seen as irresponsible to harvest from such small and vulnerable groups.
Additionally, capturing and transporting cheetahs from these regions for reintroduction would present significant logistical, financial, and practical challenges. Only one West African cheetah has been successfully collared for research purposes.
Given the challenges associated with reintroducing the Asiatic cheetah and the difficulties of obtaining cheetahs from the North and West African subspecies, Indian conservationists have limited options and are considering the more numerous and distantly related African subspecies.
