Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Kuno’s Future Cheetahs May Roam Without Radio Collars
Kuno National Park plans to let future generations of cheetahs live without radio collars.
This may happen in about two to three years.
Park officials say the cheetahs should be better adapted to their surroundings by then.
Only a few cheetahs will continue to wear collars so officials can monitor them.
Right now, 30 cheetahs have collars, and 18 of them are living in the wild.
Each collar costs Rs 4 lakh and lasts about one year.
Tracking also needs a Rs 3 lakh device, staff, and a vehicle.
The growing number of cheetahs, including 19 cubs turning one after March 2027, would make collaring every animal difficult.
Kuno National Park plans to let most third-generation cheetahs roam without radio collars in two to three years.
Only a small number of cheetahs will be radio-collared for monitoring under the future plan.
Kuno currently has 30 radio-collared cheetahs, including 18 living in the wild.
Each radio collar costs Rs 4 lakh, lasts one year, and requires a Rs 3 lakh tracking device.
After March 2027, 19 cubs will be one year old, while more females are expected to reach reproductive age.
- Who
- Kuno National Park officials and the park’s growing cheetah population.
- What
- The park plans to allow most future third-generation cheetahs to roam without radio collars, while collaring only a few for monitoring.
- When
- The change is expected in two to three years; 19 cubs will become one year old after March 2027.
- Where
- Kuno National Park and nearby forest regions in Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Officials cite the cheetahs’ expected adaptation, the high cost and limited lifespan of collars, and the difficulty of collaring a growing population.
- Current collared cheetahs
- 30, including 18 in the wild
- Expected policy
- Only a few future cheetahs will be radio-collared
- Radio collar cost
- Rs 4 lakh per collar
- Collar lifespan
- One year
- Tracking device cost
- Rs 3 lakh per device
- Tracking resources
- Nine forest personnel and one vehicle are assigned to each collared cheetah
- Upcoming cub milestone
- 19 cubs will become one year old after March 2027