In a significant stride for India's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday released three cheetahs into the wild expanses of Kuno National Park (KNP). The released animals include a female named Veera and her two 10-month-old cubs.
A Milestone Marked on International Cheetah Day
The release was timed to coincide with International Cheetah Day, highlighting the global significance of India's conservation efforts. The event took place in the Parond forest zone, a prime tourism area within the park. Chief Minister Yadav, after the release, stated that the project has "picked up pace", proudly noting that Kuno now hosts third-generation cubs born to Mukhi, a cheetah born in India itself in November.
Yadav emphasized the broader socio-economic vision behind the project. "We have released three cheetahs today, and the growing cheetah family will bring new livelihood opportunities for the displaced communities in the region," he said. He added that local residents in the Chambal belt have adapted well to coexisting with the reintroduced predators.
From Enclosure to Wilderness: A Critical Transition
Wildlife officials explained that this release represents a crucial test for the feline family. Veera and her cubs had spent several months in large, semi-wild enclosures. This pre-release phase was designed to hone their hunting skills and independence in a controlled setting where prey is available and territorial rivals like leopards are absent.
"Veera has shown competent hunting behaviour inside the enclosures, but the added demands of protecting two sub-adult cubs in an unfenced landscape will test her," revealed a senior Kuno official. The transition to free-ranging life exposes the cheetahs to unpredictable challenges:
- Variable movement of natural prey.
- Potential human activity along forest edges.
- The risk of straying beyond the park's protected boundaries.
To ensure their safety, the trio has been fitted with radio collars. Intensive monitoring teams will track their movements closely in the coming weeks, with veterinarians and managers ready to intervene if absolutely necessary.
The Growing Cheetah Population of India
India's journey to bring back the cheetah began on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs from Namibia into Kuno. This was followed by the arrival of twelve more from South Africa the next year.
The project has seen encouraging growth. India's current cheetah population stands at 32, with a heartening 21 of these born within the country. While 29 cheetahs are currently at Kuno National Park, three have been translocated to the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur-Neemuch to establish a second home population.
The cheetah family in India is set to expand further. Eight additional cheetahs from Botswana are expected to arrive in the coming months. These animals were pledged during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Gaborone in November and are currently under quarantine at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve before their eventual transfer to Kuno for acclimatisation.
