A total of 10 African cheetahs are being brought from South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Cheetahs are going to be reintroduced in India after almost 70 years. The world’s fastest mammal will be introduced in the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh in November 2021.
A total of 10 African cheetahs, including five females, are being brought from South Africa to KNP. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is releasing Rs 14 crore for the relocation project.
KNP is located in the Chambal region which is spread over 750 square kilometres and has been deemed suitable for cheetahs. KNP has a large population of ruminants like antelopes, chinkaras, nilgais and other animals considered to be a good prey base for the cheetahs.
India initially wanted to bring Asiatic cheetahs which are found only in Iran. But Iran refused to send them citing low population and the plan was dropped in 2010.
The last Asiatic cheetah in India was hunted down in the princely state of Surguja in 1947. It was declared extinct in the country in 1952.
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