Cheetahs are back in India after a gap of seven decades. Eight African Cheetahs were to be brought to the Kuno National Park alias Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary at Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh state, India.
The proposal to bring Cheetahs was made in 2009. In 2010, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime minister of India at that time, approved the recommendation to buy Cheetahs from Africa. Fifty crore rupees were sanctioned and paid in 2011. In 2012, the Supreme Court of India stayed this process, and the stay was lifted in 2019.
The first batch of 17 African Cheetahs was brought from Namibia to India on the 17th of September, 2022. Five of these carnivores are females aged between 2 to 5 years, while three males are aged between 4.5 to 5.5 years.
It was the first transcontinental transfer of African Cheetahs to India. A chartered flight was arranged to transport these animals to India as part of the reintroduction of these animals in India. The flight arrived in Jaipur on September 17, 2022, a non-stop flight from Namibia to Jaipur. From there, they were taken to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary on a helicopter.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modiji released these African Cheetahs to the Kuno National Park on his birthday, i.e., on 17th September 2022. These animals will be released to smaller quarantine enclosures for 30 days, after which they will be released to the nine-compartment predator-proof holding facility.
Cheetahs became extinct 70 years back, in 1952. Hence, India has entered into a pact with Namibia to get these African animals donated to India.
How Do I Go to Kuno National Park to See the Cheetahs?
Kuno National Park is in Sheopur District in Madhya Pradesh state, India.
There are three entry gates for this National park cum wildlife sanctuary. Tiktoli Gate is for entry from Sasaipura Village. Ahera Gate allows access from Pohri Village. Peepal Bawadi Gate is meant for entry to Aagra Village.
Gwalior Airport is the nearest Airport to all three gates. Gwalior Junction railway station is a major railway station where most trains stop. The station code for Gwalior Junction railway station is GWL.