INDIA’S CHEETAH POPULATION REACHES 53

NEWS: India’s cheetah population has reached 53 after a Namibian cheetah gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park

Extinction of Cheetahs in India

The Cheetah became extinct in India in 1952 due to:

• Excessive hunting
• Habitat loss
• Decline of prey species

Project Cheetah (Reintroduction Programme)

• To restore cheetahs in India, the government launched Project Cheetah in 2022.
• Key Objective
  • Reintroduce cheetahs into suitable Indian habitats
  • Restore grassland ecosystems
  • Promote biodiversity conservation

Cheetah Translocation to India

Under Project Cheetah:

• First Phase (2022)àCheetahs were brought from Namibia to India.
• Second Phase (2023)àMore cheetahs were translocated from South Africa.
• They were released into Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

New Births in Kuno National Park

Important Milestone

• Total cheetah population in India: 53
• Total Indian-born cheetah cubs: 33
• This is the 10th successful cheetah litter born in India

The project is significant because it:

• Restores ecological balance in grasslands
• Reintroduces a top predator species
• Enhances India’s biodiversity conservation efforts
• Promotes eco-tourism and wildlife protection