September 17, 2022, stands as a pivotal moment in India’s wildlife conservation history, as it marked the return of the world’s fastest land animal to its native habitat after a nearly seven-decade absence. This remarkable achievement was realized through Project Cheetah, a visionary initiative overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a groundbreaking endeavor, eight African cheetahs from Namibia were successfully relocated to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, followed by the introduction of twelve cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023. This historic feat was executed under the vigilant guidance of an expert team comprising government officials, scientists, wildlife biologists, and veterinarians from Namibia, South Africa, and India.
Project Cheetah has already achieved four out of six short-term success criteria, including a 50% survival rate for introduced cheetahs, the establishment of home ranges, the birth of cubs in Kuno, and direct contributions to local communities through employment opportunities for cheetah trackers and an increase in land values in the surrounding areas.
The transcontinental relocation of these magnificent creatures was an audacious attempt to rectify past ecological imbalances. Notably, all 20 cheetahs made the journey without a single casualty.
