BHOPAL: The second batch of Namibian cheetahs brought to India under the Cheetah translocation process in February this year have been released into the acclimatization enclosure of the KNP said an official on Thursday following a period of two-month quarantine. The move was facilitated following approval by DAHD.
The felines, 7 males and 5 females were at first released into their bommas (quarantine enclosure) on February 18th when they were brought from South Africa.
“The twelve cheetahs have been released in the acclimatization enclosure, aka soft or pre-release enclosure, after a go-ahead from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD),” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J S Chauhan updated reporters.
Answering to questions about their release into the wild, he called for a one-month observation adding that the cursorial predators would be released in a phased manner.
The inter-continental translocation of the cheetahs is part of the Indian government’s ambitious program to reintroduce these animals in the country, seven decades after they became extinct.
A few days ago, Cheetah Oban from the first batch of translocated big cats, escaped from the KNP for the second time. Dubbed the ghummakkad Cheetah officials have been tracking his movement and have urged residents to stay calm and alert. It was last seen in the Berad village of the Sheopuri district.