Soon more cheetahs will make their way into Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park. The South African government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding for the transfer of 12 cheetahs, with the big cats expected to arrive by February-March. With this, the total number of cheetahs in India will increase to 20.
Eight Namibian cheetahs were released into the park in September last year as part of an ambitious project to revive India’s extinct population. Talks with South Africa had been ongoing for some time, having reached an ‘advanced stage’ in early January.
Earlier this month, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said that the park would soon open for tourists. At the time, he also noted that “more cheetahs are coming from South Africa”.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Indore, he said, “I will invite you to see the cheetahs in February. We are allowing (tourist visits) from February.”
The 12 cheetahs will include seven males and five females. He is quarantined in South Africa for the last six months.
According to India’s re-introduction action plan, about 12-14 wild cheetahs (8-10 males and 4-6 females) which are ideal for establishing a new cheetah population are to be imported from South Africa, Namibia and other African countries. Will be imported as founder stock. Five years before and then as required by the program.
(with inputs from agencies)
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