Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav today announced the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. In a social media post, the Minister said that the group comprises six females and three males.
He stated that with their arrival, the population under Project Cheetah has further strengthened. Mr Yadav said that India now has a thriving population of 48 cheetahs, including 28 India-born cubs.
After the first re-introduction of eight cheetahs from Namibia to India on September 17, 2022, and the first re-introduction of 12 cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav expressed happiness on announcing the arrival of nine cheetahs – 6 females and 3 males – from Botswana to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. .
India has a thriving population of 39 cheetahs, 28 of which are cubs born in India, the Minister said, adding that the ambitious Project Cheetah undertaken under the leadership of the environmentally conscious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been a great success.
Minister Bhupender Yadav welcomed our new friends from Botswana. The Minister urged them to thrive and multiply in the forests of India.
Minister in X
‘The cheetahs from Botswana were extended a smooth air ride to India by IAF’s C17 Globemaster from 81 squadron (the Skylords), and further to Kuno by IAF’s helicopters.
The seamless coordination, precision flying, and unwavering commitment displayed by the IAF ensured the safe journey of these animals across continents.
Heartfelt appreciation to the Indian Air Force for once again rising to the occasion and serving the nation beyond the call of duty.
I thank the mighty Indian Air Force and Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh ji for this support.’
