**South African Team to Translocate Black Bucks from Shajapur to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary**
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A 13-member team of experts from South Africa is set to arrive soon in Shajapur district to capture and translocate black bucks. The team is currently awaiting the necessary permissions to conduct a pilot operation for this unique mission—the first of its kind in Madhya Pradesh.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to grant permission for the pilot to fly a Robinson helicopter, which will be used to capture the black bucks. Once cleared, the South African experts will begin their operation in Shajapur, where the black bucks will be safely captured and subsequently translocated to Kuno National Park in Sheopur and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur.
According to a senior forest official familiar with the project, the South African pilot has not yet received the required clearance to operate the Robinson helicopter in India. Madhya Pradesh forest officials are actively coordinating with the DGCA to expedite the approval process. “As soon as the permission for the pilot is received from the DGCA, we will invite the South African experts,” said L Krishnamurthy, Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife.
The forest department aims to conduct the capture and translocation process in October, following the harvest of the Kharif crops. At this time, the fields are left bare, making it easier to chase the black bucks across open terrain.
A policy to hire the Robinson helicopter was drafted some time ago and submitted to the forest headquarters. The decision on when to hire the helicopter and initiate the black buck capture now rests with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife.
Shajapur farmers have long struggled with black buck herds invading their fields and causing significant damage to crops within a short span. The upcoming operation hopes to mitigate this issue.
**The Process**
The South African pilot, skilled in flying the Robinson helicopter at low altitudes, will maneuver the chopper to herd black bucks into a makeshift enclosure. Once captured, the black bucks will be safely moved to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
These translocated animals will become part of the prey base to support the recently introduced cheetah population in these protected areas, enhancing the local ecosystem.
This collaborative effort marks an important step in wildlife management and conservation in Madhya Pradesh.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-south-africa-team-awaits-permission-for-pilot-after-shajapur-black-bucks-capture