NEW DELHI: In a significant development for India’s wildlife conservation efforts, Kuno National Park is set to release at least two cheetahs into the wild on International Cheetah Day, falling on Wednesday. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved this momentous event. This release marks a key step in India’s ongoing efforts to reintroduce cheetahs to the wild.
According to a senior forest officer, the two cheetahs identified for release are males named Agni and Vayu. This release marks the first time in nearly a year that cheetahs will roam free in the wild. NTCA Member Secretary GS Bhardwaj confirmed that the plan is on track, and the final decision lies with the state authorities.
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The release of Agni and Vayu is part of the NTCA’s phased plan to gradually reintroduce cheetahs into their natural habitat. The remaining cheetahs will also be released in phases, with the ultimate goal of establishing a stable and self-sustaining population in the wild.
The journey of Project Cheetah began in September 2022, with the translocation of 20 cheetahs from Namibia, South Africa. With the birth of several cubs, the project has seen some successes, despite the challenges including the deaths of several cheetahs. Kuno houses 12 adult cheetahs in enclosures currently and the last free-ranging cheetahs, Pawan and Veera, demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Unfortunately, Pawan was found dead in September 2024 and Veera was recaptured after straying into Gwalior’s villages. The mystery surrounding the deaths of two cheetah cubs, whose bodies were discovered in pieces on November 27 remains unsolved, pending lab reports.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved the phased release plan. According to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department’s report, “Bringing Back the Cheetah to India 2023–24,” only Pawan and another cheetah, Veera, were released into free-ranging conditions in December 2023. Veera continues to thrive in the wild, while 11 adult cheetahs and a dozen cubs remain in enclosures at Kuno National Park.
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The Introduction of Cheetah in India Annual Report 2022-23 also noted that several cheetahs, including Jwala, Nabha, and Sasha from Namibia, as well as Uday, Daksha, and Tejas, were never released into the wild.
As the world celebrates International Cheetah Day, the release of Agni and Vayu symbolizes hope and progress for the conservation efforts in India. The NTCA and Kuno National Park officials are optimistic that this step will contribute to the long-term survival and thriving of the cheetah population in the country.