India to bring 12 cheetahs from South Africa every year 

Despite the death of nine cheetahs in the last six months at Madhya Pradesh' Kuno National Park, the government is planning to import more wild cats from South Africa. However, they will not be released into the same jungle but will be introduced into MP's Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.

In an interview to PTI, Cheetah Project Head SP Yadav said preparations at these two sanctuaries are in full swing. "We are expecting it will be ready by December. Thereafter, we'll take a call on bringing cheetahs."

A total of 20 cheetahs were brought to India from Namibia and were released into the wilds of Kuno National Park between September 2022 and February 2023.

This was the first time in 75 years that cheetahs walked on India soil even as they were confused with the change in their habitat. The nine deaths included 6 adult cheetahs and 3 of the 4 cubs who were born in India.

Several reasons have been speculated for their deaths including extreme stress due to hours of air travel and several months of captivity. Some wildlife experts also pointed to the radio neck collars as the possible reason for deaths.

The Cheetah Project Head however dismissed these assumptions.

"Some of the deaths were due to renal failure, the cubs died due to heatstroke. Some cheetahs developed a winter coat (in Indian summer and monsoon) in anticipation of African winter. Nobody, including African experts, expected it.  So, next time when we will bring cheetahs, we will take care of this factor," he said.

South Africa is willing to donate more cheetahs to India and the plan is to translocate 12 to 14 cheetahs every year for the next eight to ten years.

Yadav said cheetahs born on Indian soil will have high adaptation and survival rate. "First thing that comes to my mind is the breeding of cheetahs. Cubs born on Indian soil will have much better chances to adapt and survive in Indian situations. Once the breeding takes place, we will understand how the population will behave in our country," he added.