9 Botswana cheetahs arrive at Kuno,lifting India’s big cat revival efforts

Nine cheetahs flown in from Botswana arrived safely at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district on Saturday, taking the total number of the species in India to 48 and giving fresh momentum to the country’s ambitious big-cat reintroduction programme.The latest batch ,the third to be brought from Africa under the four-year translocation plan — was transported aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft to Gwalior before being airlifted by military helicopters to Kuno.Ruben, an official from Botswana, says, "The cheetahs were kept in minimum prescribed 30 days quarantine which is part of the procedure to ensure that they comply for international standards for travel, and they have handled the immobilisation very well. We are very happy to have them also looking good today as they are being released." Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav is scheduled to release the animals into specially prepared quarantine enclosures.
The new arrivals follow earlier relocations from Namibia and South Africa, part of a long-term effort to re-establish a self-sustaining wild cheetah population in India decades after the species was declared extinct in the country in 1952.Officials overseeing the programme said that increasing numbers and gradually dispersing the animals across multiple habitats are crucial for long-term success. While most cheetahs currently remain at Kuno, three have already been shifted to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to reduce pressure on a single habitat.Conservation experts have cautioned that concentrating the entire population in one park could heighten the risk of disease outbreaks or other unforeseen events that may threaten the revival effort.Encouragingly, breeding outcomes have shown positive trends. Since 2023, 39 cubs have been born at Kuno, with 27 surviving. Earlier this year alone, nine cubs were born in two litters between February 7 and 18. Several adult cheetahs — including Jwala, Aasha, Gamini, Veera, Nirva and Mukhi have successfully produced offspring, strengthening hopes that the project will soon achieve its near-term target of building a population of 50.Wildlife officials say the arrival of the Botswana cohort not only enhances genetic diversity but also signals sustained international cooperation in India’s effort to restore the fastest land animal to its former range.

(Asstt. Editor)