Female cheetah Gamini, along with her two male cubs and two female cubs, was successfully released into the open wild at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district on Monday.
This marks a significant step in India's ambitious cheetah conservation project, aimed at reintroducing the species to its natural habitat.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the development on social media platform X, calling it another proud moment for the state's tourism sector.
He highlighted that with this release, the number of cheetahs roaming freely in Kuno has now risen to 17, offering tourists an exciting opportunity to witness these magnificent animals in their natural surroundings.
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"Another proud moment has come for Madhya Pradesh tourism. Today, female cheetah Gamini and her four cubs have been successfully released from a large enclosure into the open wild in the Khajuri forest area of Kuno National Park. Now, with a total of 17 cheetahs roaming freely in Kuno, tourists will have a thrilling experience watching them during safari visits," Yadav stated in his post.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Madhya Pradesh has become a nurturing home for the cheetahs, where they are not only regaining their speed but also steadily increasing their population. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to wildlife preservation and biodiversity protection for future generations.
"Madhya Pradesh has become a mother’s lap for the cheetahs, a species that had gone extinct from Asia. Here, they are not only reclaiming their speed but also expanding their families. We remain dedicated to conserving wildlife and protecting biodiversity for the generations to come," Yadav added.
Earlier in the day, Yadav expressed optimism that the release of Gamini and her cubs would not only support conservation efforts but also boost tourism and the state’s economy. He commended the efforts of the state’s forest department and noted the significance of Kuno National Park in the reintroduction project.
"Today is a remarkable day for the forest department and the Cheetah Project. A female cheetah, Gamini, and her cubs have been released into the wild and will now roam freely on Madhya Pradesh’s land. It is our good fortune that Kuno National Park in Sheopur was selected for the reintroduction of cheetahs. Our forest department has done exceptional work. This initiative will not only enhance tourism but also contribute to the state’s economy," he said.
Project Cheetah was launched to revive the presence of the species in India, where cheetahs had become extinct decades ago. As part of the first-ever intercontinental translocation effort, 20 cheetahs were brought to Kuno National Park—eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. The project, however, has faced challenges, including the loss of eight adult cheetahs—three females and five males—since their arrival.
Currently, Kuno National Park is home to 26 cheetahs, including 12 adult cheetahs and 14 cubs born on Indian soil, marking a significant milestone in the country’s conservation efforts.
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