Nine more cheetahs from Botswana arrived safely at Kuno National Park (KNP) on Saturday. This brings India’s total cheetah population to 48, according to an official. The third group of cheetahs from Africa landed on an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft as part of a four-year plan to revive their population.
Nine Cheetahs from Botswana Boost India’s Population
“Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav release the big cats into enclosures prepared at the park,” the official added. The new group was flown to Gwalior on an IAF aircraft. From there, IAF helicopters transported them to KNP, as reported by Sheopur public relations officer Avantika Shrivastava.
This is the third group of cheetahs from Africa, following earlier arrivals from Namibia and South Africa, officials noted. The IAF has helped the cheetah revival program by bringing them from Africa. It transported animals from South Africa in February 2023 and brought big cats from Namibia in September 2022,” said Project Cheetah Director.
Third African Cheetah Translocation Under Project Cheetah
“The arrival of more cheetahs will strengthen India’s cheetah revival program. With the support of the Central government, we aim to increase the population to 50 as soon as possible,” he added. Three cheetahs have been moved to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, while 36 remain at KNP.
Officials explained that endangered animals are usually not kept in one habitat. This reduces the risk of disease outbreaks that could wipe out the entire population. The cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal, became extinct in India nearly seventy years ago.
Last year, 12 cubs were born at the park, but six did not survive, including three cubs. Between February 7 and February 18 this year, nine cubs were born in two litters. In total, 39 cubs have been born at KNP since 2023, and 27 of them have survived.
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