Nine cheetahs from Botswana released into MP’s Kuno
With the latest addition, India’s cheetah population now stands at 48
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday released nine cheetahs brought from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The animals will undergo an acclimatisation and health-monitoring phase before their gradual release into the wild.
Yadav had earlier announced on X the arrival of the nine cheetahs — six females and three males — from Botswana.
With the latest addition, India’s cheetah population now stands at 48, including 28 cubs born in the country under Project Cheetah.
In December 2024, India initiated formal discussions with the Government of Botswana to source cheetahs and strengthen Project Cheetah, the country’s flagship wildlife restoration programme. The proposal was advanced by Yadav in consultation with Botswana’s Environment and Tourism Minister Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi. Botswana agreed to partner with India, citing the country’s comprehensive Action Plan for Cheetah Reintroduction.
To operationalise the partnership, an Indian delegation visited Botswana in September 2025 to finalise transport logistics, regulatory clearances and translocation protocols in line with international wildlife standards. Following scientific assessment, eight cheetahs were identified and captured from the Ghanzi region and transported about 700 km by road to Gaborone under continuous veterinary supervision.
In November 2025, during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Botswana, the eight cheetahs were formally handed over to India and placed in quarantine at Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
Subsequent reciprocal visits by Indian and Botswana delegations in November and December 2025 reviewed quarantine arrangements, enclosure conditions and final logistical preparations.
On February 27, 2026, the cheetahs were moved from Mokolodi Nature Reserve to Gaborone Airport and airlifted to Gwalior with the support of the Indian Air Force in a carefully monitored environment. From Gwalior, they were transported by helicopter to Kuno National Park.
