Nine Cheetahs from Botswana released at Kuno National Park

Nine Cheetahs from Botswana released at Kuno National Park

¨     Nine cheetahs translocated from Botswana were released into enclosures at Kuno National Park under India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.

¨     The release was carried out by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. This is the third batch of African cheetahs brought to India.

¨     With the arrival of six females and three males, the total cheetah population in India was increased to 48.

¨     The intercontinental translocation was described as the first of its kind in the world for the species.

¨     The cheetahs had earlier been officially donated during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Botswana and were quarantined at Mokolodi Nature Reserve before transfer.

¨     They were airlifted by the Indian Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster aircraft to Gwalior and subsequently transported to Kuno by helicopters.

¨     A mandatory quarantine of at least one month has been planned in special enclosures, with tracking collars fitted for continuous monitoring.

¨     Special teams comprising veterinarians and trained staff have been deployed to assess their health and adaptation to local conditions.

¨     Since the launch of Project Cheetah, 21 cheetahs have died due to various causes, although nine litters have been recorded at Kuno since September 2022.

¨     Apart from the cheetahs at Kuno, three translocated adults are currently housed at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.