Sat Apr 19 03:21:19 UTC 2025: ## India to Receive Eight More Cheetahs from Botswana
**Bhopal, India (April 19, 2025)** – India is set to receive eight more cheetahs from Botswana in two phases, bolstering its ambitious Project Cheetah aimed at reintroducing the endangered species to the country. Four cheetahs are expected to arrive by May, with the remaining four following later. This follows the translocation of Namibian and South African cheetahs in previous years. Efforts are also underway to secure additional cheetahs from Kenya.
The announcement was made following a review meeting in Bhopal attended by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) revealed that over ₹112 crore (approximately $13.6 million USD) has been invested in the project to date, with a significant portion allocated to cheetah rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh.
Currently, Kuno National Park houses 26 cheetahs, including 14 cubs born in India. The cheetahs are monitored using satellite collars, and several female cheetahs have successfully reproduced. Furthermore, the Madhya Pradesh government has petitioned the Supreme Court for permission to launch cheetah safaris in Kuno, aiming to capitalize on the doubled tourist numbers seen in the park over the past two years. Plans are also underway to establish an interstate cheetah conservation area encompassing Kuno National Park and the adjacent Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Rajasthan. Specialized training is being provided to “cheetah mitras” (cheetah friends) to enhance their conservation efforts.
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