Last week, nine wild African cheetahs were captured and moved from the grasslands of Botswana as part of India’s wildlife conservation programme. The animals were first safely tranquilised by wildlife experts and kept under quarantine in Botswana for several weeks to ensure they were healthy before travelling.
After the quarantine period, the cheetahs were transported to India on a 10-hour flight over the Indian Ocean by the Indian Air Force. The aircraft carried the big cats in specially designed cages to keep them safe and calm during the journey.
The flight landed in Gwalior. From there, the cheetahs were transported by helicopters to Kuno National Park, where they were placed in large quarantine enclosures. Wildlife officials will closely monitor the animals during this period to ensure they adjust well to their new environment.
This relocation is part of the ambitious Project Cheetah, which was launched in 2022 by Narendra Modi on his birthday, September 17. The project aims to bring cheetahs back to India after the species became extinct in the country in 1952.
Historically, India had its own species known as the Asiatic cheetah, but excessive hunting and habitat loss caused their population to disappear. The government started Project Cheetah to reintroduce the big cats using African cheetahs, which are genetically similar.
Supporters of the project say it will help restore India’s natural ecosystems and contribute to the global conservation of cheetahs, which are facing threats in many parts of the world. Reintroducing them into suitable habitats like Kuno National Park could also improve biodiversity and boost wildlife tourism.
However, the project has also been controversial and widely debated. Some wildlife experts have raised concerns about whether African cheetahs can adapt successfully to Indian conditions. Others worry about the high cost of the project, which runs into several crores of rupees.
Despite the debate, the government and wildlife authorities remain hopeful that the initiative will re-establish cheetahs in their historical range in India and create a stable population over time. Officials say the animals will be carefully monitored and gradually released into the wild once they adjust to their new habitat.