India's cheetah revival gains momentum with eight new arrivals from Botswana

India is set to welcome eight more cheetahs from Botswana into Kuno National Park on February 28. The translocation will be attended by Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. This latest addition will raise the park's cheetah population to 40, further boosting the country's ambitious reintroduction programme.

The first group of eight cheetahs arrived at Kuno National Park in September 2022 under a bilateral agreement between India and Botswana. Since then, despite early challenges like mortality and adaptation struggles, the population in Kuno and its rehabilitation zones has grown to around 24 animals by 2025.

The new cheetahs will land at Gwalior airport before being transported to Kuno by road. Once there, they will undergo a mandatory quarantine period of at least one month.

After quarantine, some of the animals may be moved to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur, which currently houses three cheetahs. The sanctuary is expected to receive four more, bringing its total to seven. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is also preparing to take in cheetahs once their quarantine at Kuno is complete.

The arrival of these eight cheetahs will bring Kuno's total to 40, marking another step in India's efforts to reintroduce the species. Gandhi Sagar and Nauradehi sanctuaries will also expand their cheetah populations in the coming months. The translocation follows strict protocols, including quarantine and careful monitoring before any further releases.