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November 08, 2024 11:06
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Project Cheetah is India’s initiative to reintroduce cheetahs, extinct in the country since the 1950s, by relocating African cheetahs. Learn more about it from here.
Project Cheetah is an ambitious wildlife conservation initiative aimed at reintroducing cheetahs to India. It marks a historic move as the country attempts to bring back a species that went extinct nearly seven decades ago. This initiative, which aligns with India’s broader goals of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration, involves relocating African cheetahs to Indian soil, particularly to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
The reintroduction of cheetahs to India serves several ecological, cultural, and conservation goals. Cheetahs once roamed freely across India but were declared extinct in the 1950s due to habitat loss and hunting. By bringing cheetahs back, Project Cheetah aims to:
Project Cheetah involves relocating African cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Kuno was chosen for its extensive grasslands and adequate prey population, providing an ideal habitat for cheetahs. The project’s initial phase involved the release of eight African cheetahs in September 2022, and more are expected to follow in subsequent phases.
| Aspect | Details |
| Project Name | Project Cheetah |
| Location | Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh |
| Introducted in | September 2022 |
| Initial Release | 8 African Cheetahs |
| Species Introduced | African Cheetah |
| Purpose | Ecological restoration, biodiversity enhancement, cultural heritage |
| Future Plans | Expansion to other national parks if successful |
The cheetahs introduced under Project Cheetah are African cheetahs, as India’s native Asiatic cheetah is critically endangered, with only a few individuals left in Iran. Here’s a comparison between the two subspecies:
| Aspect | Asiatic Cheetah | African Cheetah |
| Scientific Name | Acinonyx jubatus venaticus | Acinonyx jubatus |
| Native Habitat | Originally found in India, now only in Iran | Widespread across African grasslands |
| Population | Fewer than 50 individuals in Iran | Approximately 7,000 individuals |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Physical Differences | Slightly smaller, lighter build | Larger build, more muscular |
Current Status: As of the latest updates, Kuno National Park is left with 24 cheetahs, including 12 adults and as many cubs after the Pawan. Monitoring efforts are ongoing to study their adaptation, breeding success, and impact on the ecosystem. The project’s progress will determine whether similar reintroductions might be expanded to other protected areas.
Project Cheetah is a landmark conservation effort, symbolizing India’s commitment to restoring and preserving its rich biodiversity, with hopes to see the cheetah thrive once again on Indian soil.
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