Nine Botswana cheetahs released into Kuno park, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Nine cheetahs from Botswana were released into Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• The release included six females and three males, bringing India's total cheetah population to 48.
• This is the third translocation after the first batch from Namibia in September 2022, and another from South Africa in February 2023.
• The cheetahs were officially donated during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Botswana in November last year.

Detailed Insights:

• The nine cheetahs were airlifted from Botswana to Gwalior Air Base by the Indian Air Force (IAF), then transported to KNP via helicopters.
• The cheetahs will undergo a mandatory one-month quarantine in special enclosures at Kuno National Park.
• Tracking collars have been fitted, and special teams will monitor the cheetahs' health and adaptation twice daily.
• Since the start of Project Cheetah, 21 cheetahs have died at Kuno due to various reasons.
• Besides the 45 cheetahs at Kuno, three translocated adults reside at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Translocation: The process of moving animals from one area to another.
• Quarantine: Isolation to prevent the spread of disease.
• Project Cheetah: An initiative to reintroduce cheetahs to India.