India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program faces challenges as deaths continue, but the government remains committed. More cheetahs are set to be released into the wild, and negotiations are underway with Kenya and other countries to secure more big cats. The program’s progress, including challenges and future plans, is discussed in this article.
India’s ambitious Cheetah Project, aiming to reintroduce the species after its extinction in the country, is entering its third year. With the first batch of cheetahs successfully acclimating to Kuno National Park, authorities are preparing for fresh translocations from Kenya and South Africa. The project has faced challenges with some cheetah deaths, but the focus remains on establishing a viable population for the future.
A five-month-old African cheetah cub named Gamini has died at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The cub had been suffering from a vertebral column fracture and died despite receiving emergency treatment. This is the second cub from Gamini’s litter to die, leaving only four surviving cubs. The cause of death is still unknown and an autopsy will be performed to determine the reason.
South African cheetah ‘Gamini’ and her five cubs were spotted enjoying the monsoon rain at Kuno National Park, showcasing a heartwarming scene of familial harmony. This joyous moment comes after Gamini gave birth to the cubs in March, marking the fourth cheetah litter born on Indian soil and the first from South Africa. The successful breeding program is part of the ambitious project to reintroduce cheetahs to India after they were declared extinct in 1952.
