India Welcomes 9 Cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. With this arrival India’s cheetah population has reached 48 which is including 28 India born cubs and also marking a major milestone under Project Cheetah India. The cheetahs six females and three males will undergo health monitoring and acclimatization before gradual release into the wild, strengthening India’s ambitious wildlife restoration programme.

Bhupender Yadav Welcomes Botswana Cheetahs at Kuno National Park

• Bhupender Yadav released 9 cheetahs at Kuno National Park.
• The cheetahs arrived from Botswana as part of international collaboration.
• India’s total cheetah population now stands at 48, including 28 India born cubs.
• The animals will stay in quarantine before being released into the open landscape.
• The initiative is part of Project Cheetah India, launched to reintroduce cheetahs after their extinction in 1952.
• The arrival strengthens India’s efforts to build a sustainable, free-ranging cheetah population.

Journey of Botswana Cheetahs to India Under Project Cheetah

• Formal discussions with Botswana began in December 2024.
• An Indian delegation visited Botswana in September 2025 for operational planning.
• The cheetahs were captured from the Ghanzi region and transported to Gaborone.
• They were quarantined at Mokolodi Nature Reserve before transfer.
• On 27 February 2026, the cheetahs were airlifted to India by the Indian Air Force using a C-17 Globemaster aircraft.
• From Gwalior, helicopters transported them to Kuno National Park.
• The carefully monitored transfer followed international wildlife translocation standards.

Project Cheetah India: A Growing Conservation Success

• Project Cheetah aims to establish a secure population outside Africa.
• India is creating an additional habitat for long term species resilience.
• Collaboration with Botswana highlights global conservation partnerships.
• Scientific monitoring ensures health, adaptation, and breeding success.
• With 28 India born cubs, the project shows encouraging results.
• The programme reflects India’s commitment to restoring ecological balance and biodiversity.

Background: Why Project Cheetah Matters

• Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952 due to hunting and habitat loss.
• In 2022, India launched Project Cheetah, reintroducing African cheetahs into Kuno National Park.
• The project involves habitat preparation, prey base enhancement, veterinary care, and satellite monitoring.
• It aims to restore grassland ecosystems and revive India’s lost apex predator.
• With global cooperation and scientific oversight, India seeks to contribute to worldwide cheetah conservation by building a stable population outside the species traditional African range.

Question

Q. Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce cheetahs in which national park?

A. Kanha National Park
B. Jim Corbett National Park
C. Gir National Park
D. Kuno National Park