The spotted wonders are set to reclaim another slice of their lost Indian legacy. Madhya Pradesh, having successfully introduced eight cheetahs to the Kuno National Park in September 2022, is now gearing up to welcome a new pride at the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, 270 km away. Gandhi Sagar home ready for Cheetahs to move in. This vast sanctuary, spanning 368 square kilometres with an additional 2,500 sq km buffer zone, awaits its feline tenants with open grasslands and abundant prey.

Speaking to Indian Masterminds, DFO Mandasaur, Sanjay Raykhere, shared about the preparations going on in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

A NEW HOME

The new sanctuary, located around 270 km from Kuno, boasts a secure wired fence and an abundance of prey, including chital, creating an ideal hunting ground for the reintroduced cheetahs.

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“We are all set to receive the cheetahs,” confirms Sanjay Raykhere. The preparations are meticulous, guided by the Cheetah Steering Committee and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Six quarantine enclosures, or “Bomas,” stand ready to house 6-8 cheetahs upon arrival. The external fence securing the sanctuary is complete, and the Bomas will be fully operational by the month’s end. The final call on the release date rests with the government.

Efforts are in full swing to ensure a smooth transition for the new arrivals. The external fence is complete, and the quarantine enclosures are on track for completion this month.

Mr. Raykhere further informed that the government will determine the final release date after careful evaluation.

WHY GANDHI SAGAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY?

But why Gandhi Sagar? The answer lies in its carefully chosen terrain. Expert committees identified both Kuno National Park (KNP) and Gandhi Sagar as ideal locations for cheetah reintroduction. While KNP offers a more forested environment, Gandhi Sagar boasts a vast expanse of open grasslands, resembling the African savannas – the cheetah’s natural habitat. This open terrain provides ample hunting opportunities for the cheetahs, with prey like chital (spotted deer) readily available in large numbers within the sanctuary.

DELEGATIONS ASSESSMENT

But the journey doesn’t end there. The South African delegation will assess ground-level preparedness, to ensure adherence to international guidelines. Before welcoming the Cheetahs, the officials will promptly address any identified gaps.

CHEETAH REINTRODUCTION PROJECT

In 1952, authorities declared the cheetah, renowned as the fastest land animal, extinct within the country’s borders. The government has embarked on an ambitious plan to revive the cheetah population in India, which includes relocating cheetahs from Africa.

As part of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project, authorities released eight Namibian cheetahs – consisting of five females and three males – into designated enclosures at the KNP on September 17, 2022. In February 2023, they transported an additional 12 cheetahs to the park from South Africa as part of the ongoing effort.

The upcoming release of cheetahs at Gandhi Sagar marks a significant step forward in India’s wildlife conservation efforts. This ambitious project holds the promise of re-establishing a vital predator in its historical range, restoring ecological balance, and boosting tourism in the region. As preparations reach their final stages, anticipation builds for the moment these majestic creatures grace the grasslands of their new home.