India & Botswana Wildlife Partnership: Eight Cheetahs Gifted Under Project Cheetah

On 13 November 2025, at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve near Gaborone, presidents Droupadi Murmu of India and Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana jointly witnessed the symbolic release of eight cheetahs from Botswana’s Ghanzi region into a quarantine facility in Botswana, ahead of their planned translocation to India.
This event symbolises Botswana’s gifting of eight cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah and marks a new chapter in India-Botswana collaboration in wildlife conservation. 

 

Why It Matters

• India aims to restore its cheetah population after the species was declared extinct in the country decades ago.

• Botswana’s gesture strengthens bilateral ties and promotes biodiversity cooperation beyond trade and diplomacy.

• The move supports the conservation of wide-ranging predators, and rebuilding predator-prey ecosystems in India’s protected areas.

The Key Facts

• Donor country: Botswana

• Recipient country: India

• Number of cheetahs gifted: Eight

• Release location: Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana

• Origin of animals: Ghanzi region, Botswana (Kalahari ecosystem)

• Purpose: Translocation to India under Project Cheetah after quarantine and health checks

• Next steps: Cheetahs expected to be flown/transferred to India in coming months.

What This Involves

• Captured cheetahs from Botswana are put in a quarantine facility at Mokolodi Nature Reserve under expert care from India and Botswana.

• Once cleared, the animals will be transported to suitable Indian habitats under strict protocols ensuring their welfare and ecological fit.

• India’s wildlife agencies are preparing translocation logistics, habitat readiness, prey base support, and monitoring mechanisms.

• The partnership is not only about animal transfer but also capacity-building, scientific collaboration, and ecosystem restoration.

Outcome & Future Vision

• India’s total cheetah count will increase, boosting the momentum of Project Cheetah.

• Botswana expands its role from donor of conservation expertise to active partner in global species restoration.

• This sets a model for trans-continental wildlife cooperation: habitat-based, science-led, and diplomat-backed.

• The bigger goal: establish self-sustaining cheetah populations in India, diversify genetics, and deepen India-Africa ecological ties. 

FAQ (People Also Ask)

Q. Why is Botswana gifting cheetahs to India?
Botswana is supporting India’s cheetah reintroduction initiative (Project Cheetah) through a diplomatic-conservation partnership. 

 Q. When will the cheetahs arrive in India?
Not exactly disclosed yet; after quarantines at Mokolodi, they will be flown/transferred in the coming months. 

 Q. Where will the cheetahs be released in India?
They are expected to join existing Indian rewilding sites such as Kuno National Park and possibly new sites under expansion plans.

 Q. What is Project Cheetah?
An initiative by the Government of India to reintroduce the cheetah species into India’s wild after decades of extinction, involving trans-continental transfers and habitat restoration.

Conclusion

The recent gifting of eight cheetahs from Botswana to India marks a significant milestone in wildlife conservation, diplomatic partnership, and biodiversity restoration. As India prepares for the next phase of Project Cheetah—with Botswana as a committed ally—this initiative embodies a shared vision: reviving an apex predator, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening ties across continents.