Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will release two female cheetahs into the open forest at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district on May 11, marking another significant milestone under India’s ambitious cheetah conservation initiative, ‘Project Cheetah’. CM will release the cheetahs from the site near the Kuno River and will also tour the National Park.
Wildlife experts have expressed optimism that these cheetahs will adapt quickly to Kuno’s environment and play a key role in breeding and maintaining healthy genetic diversity.
The cheetahs being released are part of the batch brought from Botswana in February 2026. Two of them are now fully prepared to venture into the open forest, where they will gradually adapt to independent movement and hunting in the wild.
The release aims to strengthen India’s cheetah population and help the animals adapt naturally to the forest ecosystem. Officials and wildlife experts believe that the Botswana cheetahs will contribute significantly to enhancing genetic diversity and long-term sustainability of the species in India.
Under Project Cheetah, India has been steadily rebuilding its cheetah population since the historic reintroduction initiative began in September 2022. Initially, eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia, followed by 12 cheetahs from South Africa in 2023. In February 2026, nine additional cheetahs, including six females and three males, arrived from Botswana, taking the total cheetah population in India, including cubs born in the country, to 48.
Under Project Cheetah, plans are also being considered to establish cheetah populations in other wildlife habitats, including Gandhi Sagar and Nauradehi sanctuaries, after the acclimatisation process is completed.
Kuno National Park continues to emerge as a symbol of India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and ecological restoration, with the release of the Botswana cheetahs expected to further strengthen the success of the world’s first intercontinental translocation project of large carnivores.
