Kuno National Park to Receive Eight Cheetahs from Botswana on February 28

In a significant boost to India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is set to receive eight cheetahs from Botswana on February 28. The translocation is part of the ongoing Project Cheetah, aimed at restoring the species to Indian forests decades after it was declared extinct in the country.

Officials said the incoming batch will further strengthen the cheetah population at Kuno and enhance genetic diversity within the growing population. Preparations are underway to ensure a smooth transfer, including veterinary checks, quarantine arrangements, and monitoring infrastructure at the park.

Botswana will become the third African nation to send cheetahs to India under the project. Earlier, two batches of cheetahs were brought from Namibia and South Africa after the project was formally launched in September 2022. The first consignment marked a historic moment, as cheetahs returned to India nearly 70 years after they were declared extinct in 1952.

Wildlife authorities have said that the collaboration with multiple African countries is aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability of the reintroduced population. The cheetahs are closely monitored using radio collars and satellite tracking systems to study their adaptation, hunting patterns, and territorial movements within the park.

Located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, Kuno National Park has been developed as a suitable habitat for the species, with adequate prey base and protection measures in place. Forest officials have also been engaging with local communities to build awareness and reduce potential human-wildlife conflict.

Project Cheetah is considered one of the world’s first intercontinental translocation initiatives for a large carnivore. Authorities believe that the arrival of the new batch from Botswana will further consolidate conservation efforts and move India closer to establishing a stable, self-sustaining cheetah population.