The first batch of cheetahs are expected to arrive in India’s Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh by this August, according to senior officials in the Union Environment Ministry, who declined to be identified. The timing chimes with India celebrating 75 years of independence which the Centre has been building up to, as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign.
Five of these animals, extinct in India since the 1950s, are expected to be imported from South Africa and/or Namibia. Bilateral discussions are ongoing with both countries. Teams of wildlife experts from both countries are expected to be conducting site visits in Madhya Pradesh this month.
