Bhopal: India’s Project Cheetah, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, is gearing up for its second year with a renewed emphasis on breeding these magnificent big cats. The project initially made headlines when it relocated a group of cheetahs from Namibia to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park. However, challenges arose when three of the cheetahs succumbed to infections attributed to their developing thicker winter coats in the Indian climate.
SP Yadav, Additional Director General of Forests at the Environment Ministry and chief of the National Tiger Conservation Authority dispelled concerns about the radio collars worn by the cheetahs, asserting they did not cause infections. Nevertheless, new collars from the same South African manufacturer will be provided. The next phase of the project involves importing cheetahs from South Africa and introducing them to Madhya Pradesh’s Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary by year-end.
Yadav explained that the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, along with another site in Madhya Pradesh, is being prepared to accommodate the incoming cheetahs. While Kuno National Park currently houses 15 cheetahs, including a cub, the sanctuary’s carrying capacity is estimated at around 20 cheetahs. Once preparations are complete, the decision to bring in more cheetahs will be made, with the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary set to be ready by the end of November or December.
Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce these endangered big cats to India, with a focus on ensuring their adaptation and breeding success in their new habitat.