Cheetah Relocation from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar, Status, Latest News

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Cheetah Relocation from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Latest News

Recently, the Cheetah Project Steering Committee officially approved the relocation of some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

About Cheetah Relocation from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar

The Cheetah Project Steering Committee was set up in May 2023 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to review, monitor, and advise on the cheetah reintroduction program.
Project Cheetah began in 2022 with the translocation of 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa to Kuno National Park. Still, the project has faced setbacks, with 8 adult cheetahs and 5 cubs dying so far.
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary has been identified as a key part of establishing a cheetah meta-population of 60–70 individuals across the Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape, which stretches across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
As of now, there are 26 cheetahs at Kuno, of which 17 are in the wild and 9 are still inside large enclosures. It is yet to be decided whether the relocated cheetahs will come from the wild or enclosures.
According to forest officials, prey species at Gandhi Sagar currently include chinkara, chousingha, nilgai, and chital.

About Cheetahs

Cheetahs breed year-round, with peak breeding during the rainy season. Females reach sexual maturity between 20–24 months, while males mature later, at 24–30 months.
The gestation period of a cheetah is approximately 90–95 days, and they typically give birth to 3–5 cubs.
Cheetahs do not roar like other big cats; instead, they communicate using high-pitched chirps, barks, and stutter barks to establish presence or territory.
They are solitary animals and use urine sprays, cheek rubbing, and scratch marks on trees to mark territory.
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.
During hunting, they employ a unique tripping technique using their semi-retractable claws to destabilise prey, though their hunting success rate is only 40–50%.

Protection Status of Cheetahs

Cheetahs are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
They are protected under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
They are also included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), offering the highest level of protection from international trade.

African vs Asiatic Cheetah

African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)

Distribution: Across Northwest, East, and Southern Africa.

Physical Traits: Larger build, robust neck and legs.

Fur: Golden-brown, denser coat.

Status: Vulnerable (IUCN).

Distribution: Critically endangered, limited to Iran (only 12 individuals).

Physical Traits: They are more slender and smaller.

Fur: Buff/light fawn, with extra fur on the neck and underbelly.

Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN).

Cheetah Relocation from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar FAQs

Q1. Why were cheetahs reintroduced into India?
Ans. Cheetahs were reintroduced in India to restore ecological balance, as they were declared extinct in 1952, and the reintroduction aims to re-establish their role as apex predators in the grassland ecosystem.

Q2. From which country were the cheetahs relocated to India under Project Cheetah?
Ans. Cheetahs were translocated to India from Namibia and South Africa under the Project Cheetah initiative launched in 2022.

Q3. Which Indian national park became the site for the cheetah reintroduction?
Ans. Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was selected for the reintroduction of cheetahs due to its suitable habitat and prey base.