Cheetahs at Kuno National Park to be Released into the Wild
In an exciting development, African cheetahs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India, are set to be released into the wild starting at the end of October. This phased release is part of a plan by the Environment Ministry, following recommendations from a Standing Committee. The initial release will include two cheetahs, Vayu and Agni, to monitor their adaptation before more are released.
The cheetahs were part of the first-ever intercontinental translocation of the species, with 20 cheetahs brought to Kuno—eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Despite challenges, including the death of eight adult cheetahs, there has been success in breeding, with 17 cubs born and 12 surviving, bringing the total cheetah population at Kuno to 24.
Authorities are coordinating with other states like Rajasthan and additional districts in Madhya Pradesh to ensure the success of the rewilding project. Plans are also underway to introduce cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. The Environment Ministry is negotiating with South Africa and Kenya to bring in more cheetahs and is working to ensure a safe environment for them by augmenting prey and removing potential threats.
Doubts Revealed
Cheetahs -: Cheetahs are big wild cats known for their speed. They are the fastest land animals and have spots on their fur.
Kuno National Park -: Kuno National Park is a protected area in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a place where wild animals live and are protected by the government.
Released into the Wild -: This means letting the cheetahs live freely in their natural habitat, outside of enclosures or cages.
Environment Ministry -: The Environment Ministry is a part of the Indian government that takes care of nature and wildlife. They make rules to protect animals and the environment.
Intercontinental Translocation -: This is when animals are moved from one continent to another. In this case, cheetahs were brought from Africa to India.
Phases -: Phases mean doing something step by step. Here, it means releasing the cheetahs into the wild gradually, not all at once.
Vayu and Agni -: Vayu and Agni are the names of two cheetahs. In India, Vayu means wind and Agni means fire.
Adaptation -: Adaptation is how animals get used to new places or conditions. It means seeing if the cheetahs can live well in their new home.
Cubs -: Cubs are baby cheetahs. They are small and need care from their mothers to grow up strong.