India’s cheetah population has risen to 52 four years after they were brought from three African countries, marking the world’s first intercontinental translocation of large wild carnivores.
They were brought from Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.
According to the latest status review, under the title “Four Years of Cheetahs in India” published by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, 32 cubs were born in India after the reintroduction of the programme.
Of the 52 cheetahs, 49 are currently in Kuno National Park and three in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
The review, which covers the period from September 17, 2022, to September 17, 2026, says the population comprises surviving cheetahs and their offspring from Namibia and South Africa, along with newly introduced cheetahs from Botswana.
Of the 12 South African cheetahs introduced on February 18, 2023, eight have survived, along with 10 India-born offspring, taking the South African-origin population and progeny to 18.
Of these, 15 are in Kuno National Park and three in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Kuno National Park said the establishment of breeding females and survival of second-generation cubs, four years into the programme, mark an important consolidation phase in India’s cheetah reintroduction efforts.
