Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released two female cheetahs into the open forest at the Kuno release site in Kuno National Park, marking another major milestone in India’s ongoing wildlife conservation efforts.
The cheetahs, identified as CCV-2 and CCV-3, were released near the Kuno river forest area.
Project Cheetah: A Landmark Wildlife Initiative
The initiative is part of Project Cheetah, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2022, when eight cheetahs were first brought from Namibia to India.
The project is the world’s first intercontinental large carnivore relocation programme and aims to restore cheetahs in India after nearly 70 years of extinction.
Cheetah Population Reaches 57 in Madhya Pradesh
According to officials, the cheetah population in Madhya Pradesh has now grown to 57, including:
- 54 cheetahs in Kuno National Park
- 3 cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
This steady increase reflects the success of habitat adaptation and breeding in Indian conditions.
Expansion of Cheetah Reintroduction from Africa
The cheetah reintroduction programme has involved multiple international transfers:
- 8 cheetahs from Namibia (2022)
- 12 cheetahs from South Africa (2023)
- 9 cheetahs from Botswana (recent phase)
These efforts have strengthened India’s biodiversity restoration mission.
India’s First Cheetah Birth After 70 Years
A major milestone was achieved in March 2023 when female cheetah Jwala gave birth to cubs in India, marking the first cheetah births in the country after nearly seven decades.
This was considered a historic breakthrough in wildlife conservation.
Madhya Pradesh Emerging as “Cheetah State”
CM Mohan Yadav stated that Madhya Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a hub of biodiversity conservation and wildlife restoration, earning recognition as India’s “Cheetah State.”
He emphasized that the state is successfully providing a safe and suitable ecosystem for cheetah survival and growth.
Strong Administrative and Wildlife Management Support
The event was attended by senior forest officials, district administration, and wildlife experts who highlighted the continuous monitoring, tracking, and scientific management of the cheetah population.
Officials confirmed that habitat conditions at Kuno are improving, supporting the long-term survival of the species.
