In a new push to revive India’s extinct cheetah population, the Government of India has announced that eight cheetahs will be flown in from Botswana next month under the ambitious Project Cheetah. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, during a briefing in New Delhi.
These eight cheetahs mark the next phase of India’s restoration of the big cat species, with infrastructure ready at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh for their quarantine and eventual release.
Key Announcement Details
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Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that the eight cheetahs from Botswana will arrive next month and will be kept in quarantine at Kuno National Park as per international protocol.
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Earlier in April 2025, officials had disclosed that the cheetahs would arrive in two phases — four by May and the remaining four later — with Botswana, South Africa and Kenya being partner nations.
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The review meeting was held in Bhopal with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in attendance, alongside Madhya Pradesh officials.
Why Kuno National Park?
Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) has been India’s flagship site for cheetah reintroduction under Project Cheetah:
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It already hosts cheetahs translocated from Namibia and South Africa.
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The park is prepared with quarantine and enclosure infrastructure, monitoring systems, trained staff (often called “cheetah mitras”), and 24-hour tracking protocols.
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Quarantining new arrivals ensures health checks, acclimatisation and reduces risk before full release into wilderness areas.
What This Phase Means for Project Cheetah
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Strengthening numbers & genetics: Bringing in additional cheetahs from Botswana will boost population size and genetic diversity.
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Scaling reintroduction efforts: This phase signals a move from initial experimental releases to more regular, scheduled bolstering of cheetah numbers.
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Boosting wildlife tourism & livelihoods: States like Madhya Pradesh see cheetah re-introductions as not just conservation but also tourism-led rural development. Minister Yadav emphasised linkages between wildlife tourism and local livelihoods.
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Global collaboration: India’s partnerships with Botswana (and ongoing talks with Kenya, South Africa) showcase international cooperation in large-mammal translocation.
Challenges & Considerations
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Health & acclimatisation risks: Previous cheetah translocations globally and in India have faced challenges with disease, adaptation and mortality.
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Habitat suitability & prey base: Ensuring that Kuno (and eventual other sites) offer sufficient prey, territory and ecosystem support is critical to long-term success.
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Monitoring & infrastructure: Radio-collars, satellite tracking, veterinary care, and management of human-wildlife interface must be robust.
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Community engagement: Local communities must be allies in conservation, reporting, tourism and conflict mitigation.
Best Time to Watch Progress
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Arrival & Quarantine Phase: The next few weeks/months will likely be focused on their arrival and quarantine at Kuno.
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Release into the wild: Once quarantine ends and adaptation is ensured, the cheetahs will be progressively released into broader zones.
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Tourism & Safaris: Madhya Pradesh has already begun planning safari experiences, pending clearances for eco-sensitive zones.
FAQs on the New Cheetah Arrival
Q1. When exactly will the eight cheetahs arrive?
According to Minister Bhupender Yadav, the cheetahs will arrive “next month” from Botswana, suggesting a transport window shortly ahead.
Q2. Why Botswana?
Botswana is a partner country in the ongoing international cheetah translocation efforts. Combining animals from various source populations helps genetic diversity.
Q3. What will happen after arrival?
They will be first housed in a quarantine facility at Kuno National Park, where they will be health-checked, acclimatised and monitored before full release.
Q4. What is Project Cheetah?
Project Cheetah is India’s flagship wildlife initiative aimed at reintroducing cheetahs—extinct in India since the 1950s—into suitable habitats in the country.
Q5. How many cheetahs are already in Kuno?
Previously, Kuno hosted 26 cheetahs (16 in open forest, 10 in rehab enclosures) during a prior phase of the project.
Conclusion
The arrival of eight cheetahs from Botswana marks a pivotal new chapter in India’s wildlife revival story. With leadership from the Union Environment Ministry, endorsement by Minister Bhupender Yadav, and robust institutional structures, Project Cheetah is gaining renewed momentum. Kuno National Park, with its infrastructure, trained staff and prior cheetah habitat experience, is well-positioned to receive the newcomers
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