Guwahati, Feb 28: Nine cheetahs airlifted from Botswana arrived at Kuno National Park on February 28 and were released into a quarantine enclosure, taking India’s total cheetah count under the reintroduction programme to 48.
Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav released the six female and three male cheetahs into the enclosure, according to Madhya Pradesh Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) L Krishnamoorthy.
The third batch of cheetahs from Africa arrived earlier in the day aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft as part of the country’s four-year cheetah population revival plan. The animals were flown from Botswana to Gwalior in an IAF aircraft and then transported to Kuno in IAF helicopters, officials said.
The IAF has supported the project since its inception, having earlier transported cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022 and from South Africa in February 2023. Project Cheetah Director Uttam Sharma said the arrival of more cheetahs would strengthen the revival programme. “With the support of the Central government, we aim to increase the population to 50 as soon as possible,” he stated.
According to officials, three cheetahs have been relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, while 36 remain at Kuno. They noted that endangered species are generally not kept in a single habitat due to the risk of disease outbreaks that could endanger the entire population.
The cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal, became extinct in India nearly seven decades ago. The ambitious reintroduction project seeks to establish a sustainable wild population in the country.
Last year, 12 cubs were born at Kuno, though six, including three cubs, did not survive. This year, nine cubs were born in two litters between February 7 and February 18. In total, 39 cubs have been born at Kuno since 2023, of which 27 have survived.
Namibia-born Jwala and Aasha, South Africa-born Gamini, Veera and Nirva, and India-born Mukhi have all produced litters at the park, marking significant milestones in India’s cheetah conservation journey.
