Madhya Pradesh CM releases 2 Botswana cheetahs into Kuno National Park open forest

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav released two female cheetahs from Botswana into Kuno National Park's open forest on Monday. Officials and experts said the move strengthens Project Cheetah and improves the population's genetic diversity.

In Short

• The pair entered the wild after quarantine and acclimatisation since February
• Nine Botswana cheetahs arrived this year in Project Cheetah's third phase
• India's cheetah count, including cubs born here, has reached 57

Mohan Yadav on Monday released two female cheetahs brought from Botswana into the open forest area of Kuno National Park after the animals completed their quarantine and acclimatisation period. Officials said the move would provide fresh momentum to Project Cheetah and add another significant chapter to India’s wildlife conservation efforts.

The two cheetahs were released into the wild near the Kuno River after being kept in small enclosures for adaptation to local conditions since their arrival in February this year.

A total of nine cheetahs – six females and three males – were brought to Kuno from Botswana earlier this year as part of the third major international phase of Project Cheetah. With their arrival, the total number of cheetahs in India, including cubs born in the country, has risen to 57, officials said.

After releasing the animals, the Chief Minister also toured the national park.

The objective of Project Cheetah is to restore the species in India, increase its population, and gradually prepare the animals for free movement and hunting in the wild.

Wildlife experts believe cheetahs brought from Botswana add greater genetic diversity to the population at Kuno, which could help build a healthier and more sustainable breeding base in the long run. Experts have also expressed confidence that the animals will integrate quickly into the Kuno ecosystem.

India launched the ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme in September 2022 with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia. This was followed by the translocation of 12 cheetahs from South Africa in 2023.

The Madhya Pradesh government is also working to expand the cheetah project beyond Kuno. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as the second habitat for cheetahs, while Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is planned as the country’s third major cheetah landscape.

Officials said preparations are underway to relocate some cheetahs to these sanctuaries after completion of the quarantine and acclimatisation process.

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