Odisha's Nandankanan Zoo Initiates Historic Cheetah Import Plan
For wildlife enthusiasts who have longed to see cheetahs but found Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh too distant, a remarkable opportunity is emerging much closer to home. In a groundbreaking development, the Odisha government is planning to import cheetahs for Nandankanan Zoo, marking the first such initiative in the state.
Tender Floated for International Cheetah Transfer
The zoo has officially floated a tender to engage a private party that will oversee the entire complex operation. This private entity will be responsible for selecting a suitable foreign zoo, likely in South Africa, for the transfer of these magnificent big cats.
Nandankanan Zoo director Sanath Kumar explained the comprehensive process: "A tender has been floated to select a private party that will oversee all operations, starting from selecting the zoo and bringing and keeping them in Nandankanan. Further approval is required from government in terms of grant of funds, although tentatively it has been planned that help of patrons will be taken for the purpose."
The private party will facilitate the transportation of one pair each of male and female cheetahs and complete all necessary formalities. Transporting animals from a foreign zoo involves numerous international protocols and requires meticulous planning and execution.
Specialized Facilities for Cheetah Acclimatization
Cheetahs represent one of nature's most extraordinary creations - a rare species known for their incredible agility and breathtaking speed capabilities reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour. Their hunting strategy involves following prey, making it restless through pursuit, and then executing the final capture.
"Considering their nature and environment, they will acclimatize well, and facilities accordingly will be created at Nandankanan Zoo," Kumar emphasized. These specialized facilities will include plain, meadow-rich land that mimics their natural hunting grounds, ensuring the cheetahs can thrive in their new environment.
Historical Context and Additional Wildlife Plans
This initiative follows previous successful wildlife imports in India. In 2020, a male and two female African cheetahs were housed in Mysuru zoo, demonstrating that such international transfers can be managed effectively with proper planning and expertise.
Beyond the cheetah import, Odisha is preparing to welcome additional international wildlife. The state is set to receive two pairs of red kangaroos from Australia as part of an ambitious expansion plan.
Zoo officials revealed exciting details about this Australian initiative: "A new thematic display zone, known as Australian Adventures, will be developed with four modern enclosures designed to replicate arid grassland and woodland ecosystems. The zone will house iconic Australian fauna such as kangaroos, cassowaries and wallabies, providing an immersive interpretation of Australia's unique biodiversity."
This comprehensive wildlife enhancement program represents a significant step forward for Nandankanan Zoo's conservation and educational mission, offering visitors unprecedented opportunities to experience diverse global wildlife species while supporting international conservation efforts.
