Kuno National Park Adds 9 More Cheetahs to an Expanding Coalition | 03 Mar 2026

Why in News?

India has received nine more cheetahs from Botswana, further strengthening its ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme at Kuno National Park. This marks another major milestone in restoring the cheetah population in India after its extinction in 1952.

Key Points:

• India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Programme: India declared the cheetah extinct in 1952, becoming the only country to lose the species in recorded history. 
  • To reverse this ecological loss, the Government launched Project Cheetah in 2022.
• Initial Phase: First batch of 8 cheetahs brought from Namibia in September 2022.
  • Subsequent batch imported from South Africa in 2023.
  • Now, 9 more cheetahs have been translocated from Botswana.
• The initiative is implemented by the: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• The Cohort: The group consists of 6 females and 3 males.
• The Journey: The cheetahs were transported approximately 7,600 km from Gaborone, Botswana, to Gwalior aboard an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III. They were then ferried to Kuno via IAF helicopters.
• Current Status: Upon arrival, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the animals into quarantine enclosures. 
  • They will remain there for approximately 30 days for health monitoring and acclimatisation before moving to larger soft-release areas.
• Breeding Success: Kuno has seen significant reproductive success, with 39 cubs born since 2023, of which 27 have survived. Most recently, in February 2026, two litters totaling nine cubs were born to females Aasha and Gamini.
• Geographic Distribution: While 45 cheetahs reside at Kuno, 3 adults have been relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to prevent over-concentration in a single habitat.