Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The forest department has finally cleared the decks to bring a South African expert team in October to catch and translocate black bucks from Shajapur, where their population has exploded in recent years.
The six-member team, arriving with its own pilot, will use a Robinson helicopter to chase and net animals. The chopper, hired on an hourly basis, will be used during the one-month-long operation, which has now been formally chalked out.
Speaking to Free Press, Additional Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) L. Krishnamurthy said that the operation will shift black bucks to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, where they will serve as prey for cheetahs recently introduced in both reserves.
The department is coordinating with the South African side through Victory Grant, who is acting as the liaison.
This plan was first conceptualised around two years ago. While the South African team had even sent equipment in advance, the effort was stalled due to delays in helicopter procurement. Initial attempts to hire the aircraft independently failed, until the Aviation Department intervened a few months ago.
In recent years, Shajapur’s black buck population has risen alarmingly, becoming a major problem for local farmers. Herds regularly invade standing crops and can devastate fields within hours. The issue has sparked heated debates in the assembly multiple times, prompting urgent calls for a solution.
No official count
Although no official census has been conducted, estimates suggest that black buck numbers in Shajapur may now exceed 5,000. BJP MLA Arun Bhimawad said farmers have been suffering for over 12–15 years, and the need for action has never been more urgent.
Boost to cheetah prey base
The translocation will help ease pressure on Shajapur farms while strengthening prey availability in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, both of which now house African cheetahs. The move is seen as vital for sustaining the rewilding programme.
