M.P Finalizes Preparations for Second Cheetah Habitat at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

The Madhya Pradesh government has completed preparations for its ambitious cheetah reintroduction project at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. This is slated to be the second home for cheetahs in India after Kuno National Park.

Reintroduction of the cheetah in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

All preparations have been completed for reintroduction of the cheetah in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Cheetals (spotted deers) have been reintroduced from Kanha and other places to increase their population in the region. 50 gaurs (Indian bisons) have also been successfully reintroduced from Kanha and Satpura Tiger Reserve to the Sanjay Tiger Reserve (in Sidhi district).

Kuno National Park in Sheopur district

In September 2022, eight Namibian cheetahs (five females and three males) were released into enclosures at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. After that in February 2023, as many as 12 cheetahs were brought from South Africa. Notably, only 13 of the 20 adult cheetahs have survived in the new habitat. Another 13 cubs were born to these cheetahs, taking the total population of the felines in Kuno at 26 currently.

About Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary situated on the northern boundary of Mandsaur and Nimach districts in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 368.62 km² (142.32 sq mi) adjoining Rajasthan state in India. It was notified in 1974 and more area was added in 1983. The Chambal River passes through the sanctuary dividing it into two parts. The western part is in Nimach district and eastern part is in Mandsaur district. It is in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.