Kuno welcomes 9 cheetahs from Botswana:Union Forest Minister releases 6 females and 3 males; cheetah population rises to 48

India’s ambitious cheetah project achieved a major milestone on Saturday morning. Nine new cheetahs – six females and three males – were transported from Botswana via a special aircraft to Gwalior and then flown by helicopter to Kuno National Park. With their arrival, the cheetah population in Kuno has increased to 48. Union Minister of Forests and Environment, Bhupender Yadav, arrived at Kuno via Gwalior by special aircraft and helicopter. At around 9:20 am, he symbolically rotated the crate handles to release two cheetahs into the quarantine enclosures. Experts say that the higher number of females in this batch will improve the sex ratio in Kuno, enhancing the chances of natural breeding in the future. Focus on genetic diversity and balance According to specialists, including cheetahs from Botswana, in addition to those from Namibia and South Africa, will strengthen the genetic diversity in Kuno. Currently, the park has 18 adult females and 16 adult males. All nine new cheetahs will remain in special quarantine enclosures for the next month under strict supervision of experts and veterinarians. Having cheetahs from three different countries together is expected to be crucial for the long-term success of the project. Current Status of Cheetahs in India Kuno project selection began in 2009 Since the extinction of Asiatic cheetahs in India in 1952, efforts have been underway to reintroduce cheetahs. In September 2009, a meeting of cheetah experts was held in Gajner, Rajasthan, to plan their reintroduction. At the meeting, experts from the Cheetah Conservation Fund, including Dr. Laurie Marker and Stephen J. O’Brien, recommended bringing South African cheetahs to India. Following directions from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Wildlife Institute of India conducted surveys in 2010 to identify potential sites for cheetah reintroduction, with Kuno being found the most suitable. Out of ten surveyed locations, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary, and Shahgarh in Rajasthan were found suitable. Among these, Kuno Sanctuary – now Kuno National Park – was deemed the most favourable for the reintroduction programme.