BHOPAL: Days of strategic planning, meticulous tracking and combined efforts of the various teams led to the capturing of Nirva, the female South African cheetah, who went untraceable in the Kuno National Park and was located and rescued after 20-day disappearance.

The account of this operation has been documented in a newsletter released by the authorities of Kuno National Park, shedding light on the challenges faced during the Cheetah Project.

On May 28, Nirva was released into the wild from the Soft Release Boma (SRB) after spending 60 days in Quarantine Boma (QB) and nearly 40 days in SRB.

The female feline was set free into the wild of Kuno National Park.

Sporting a collar with satellite and Very High Frequency (VHF) tracking, she was free to roam within the park’s boundaries.Shortly after her release, the VHF signal stopped working, causing concern among the conservationists.

Unlike the usual practice of regular monitoring via the VHF signal, they had to rely solely on satellite data to track Nirva’s movements.

The challenge stemmed from the fact that satellite data is transmitted with a delay, making real-time monitoring difficult.To locate Nirva, the interval for satellite data updates was reduced to two hours, striking a balance between effective tracking and conserving the collar's battery life.

This allowed for effective monitoring of Nirva's movements, albeit with occasional gaps in information.The most urgent challenge was the malfunctioning collar.

Changing the collar was necessary, but the process was delicate.

Cheetahs, especially those not used to human presence, are elusive and wary.

Immobilizing them requires precise coordination and timing.

Additionally, any sudden movements could potentially endanger Nirva's life.

After careful consideration, the decision was made to wait until the intense summer heat subsided, reducing the risks associated with tranquilization.

The delicate process of darting and providing immediate medical assistance was further complicated by Nirva's tendency to flee upon sensing humans.The search for Nirva involved multiple attempts, strategic planning, and coordination among various teams.

The efforts included foot patrols, dog squads, elephants, drones, and extensive camera-trap installations.

The breakthrough came on August 12, when a sudden satellite signal revealed Nirva's location after more than three weeks of uncertainty.

The location was confirmed to be within the Dhoret range of Kuno National Park.

The teams immediately sprang into action, deploying ground teams, drones, elephants, and dog squads to pinpoint Nirva’s whereabouts.Hours of meticulous tracking, utilizing drones, elephants, and dog squads, led to the successful darting and immobilization of Nirva.

This marked the completion of the initial phase of the operation.

The second phase involved locating her after immobilization, which was achieved through meticulous teamwork and coordination.This gripping tale stands as a testament to the determination of the Cheetah project, the personnel's unyielding commitment, and their strategic approach to overcoming these hurdles with scientific management.