The African cheetahs at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park will begin their release into the wild at the end of October, according to a statement from the Environment Ministry on Monday. This phased release is part of India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, which aims to reintroduce the big cats to the wild after decades of their absence from the Indian landscape.
“The cheetahs at Kuno National Park will be released into large unfenced areas by the end of the month in a phased manner,” confirmed an official from the Environment Ministry. This gradual reintroduction comes after a series of evaluations and recommendations from a Standing Committee overseeing the project.
Phased release plan
The rewilding of the cheetahs will start with the release of two individuals, Vayu and Agni, allowing officials to monitor their adaptation to the wild. “We will observe how they respond in their natural habitat, and based on that, we will proceed with more releases,” the official said. This careful approach is designed to ensure the cheetahs are adequately prepared for the challenges of the wild.
The phased release is also aimed at minimizing risks to the animals, given the challenges the project has faced since its inception. Authorities at Kuno have been preparing the area, ensuring the environment is suitable for the cheetahs to thrive in the wild.
Project cheetah: A landmark effort
The cheetahs at Kuno are part of the first-ever intercontinental translocation of the species. In total, 20 cheetahs were brought to the park—eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. This effort marked a significant step in India’s plan to reintroduce cheetahs to their former range after they were declared extinct in the country in 1952.
However, the project has not been without its challenges. Eight adult cheetahs—three females and five males—have died since their arrival. Despite these losses, there has been some success with breeding efforts. A total of 17 cubs have been born in India, with 12 surviving, bringing the current population of cheetahs in Kuno, including the cubs, to 24.
Despite the presence of these cheetahs at Kuno, none of them have yet been released into the wild. The decision to begin the phased release starting in late October marks a significant step in the project’s progress.
Expansion plans beyond Kuno
While Kuno National Park has been the primary focus of Project Cheetah, the government is looking beyond this location to further expand the cheetah population in India. Discussions have been held with other states, including Rajasthan, and additional districts in Madhya Pradesh, to identify other potential habitats for the rewilding process. The goal is to establish a broader network of protected areas that can support healthy cheetah populations.
One of the key sites under consideration is the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Preparations are underway to introduce cheetahs to this sanctuary, and officials are working to address any gaps that could impact the success of the project. “There are some gaps, but we are working to close them. The preparation there has been done to introduce cheetahs,” an official noted.
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International collaboration and future plans
In addition to the efforts within India, the Environment Ministry is actively engaged in negotiations with South Africa and Kenya to bring additional cheetahs into the country. These negotiations are part of a broader strategy to augment the cheetah population and enhance genetic diversity.
“We are in negotiations with South Africa and Kenya in this regard, and we are also looking to augment prey and remove species which might be dangerous for them,” a senior official said. Ensuring adequate prey and minimizing threats from other species are critical to the success of the cheetah reintroduction project.
As the release of the cheetahs into the wild at Kuno National Park approaches, the success of Project Cheetah hinges on careful planning and execution. The phased release starting in late October will be a crucial moment for India’s efforts to reintroduce this iconic species to its natural habitat. With expansion plans in the works and continued collaboration with international partners, the future of cheetahs in India looks promising, despite the challenges faced so far.
