8 months ago
Kuno National Park Prepares for Cheetahs from Botswana
India is getting 8 more cheetahs from Botswana to add to the ones already in Kuno National Park.
These cheetahs are currently in a special place in Botswana called Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
They will come to India in January 2026.
When they arrive, they will stay in special enclosures for a month to get used to their new home.
After that, they will be moved to bigger enclosures to get used to the wild.
This is all part of a big project to bring cheetahs back to India and make sure they have a strong and diverse family.
Right now, India has 30 cheetahs, and Kuno National Park has 27 of them.
There is also a new place called Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve where some cheetahs might go next year.
Kuno National Park is preparing to welcome 8 cheetahs from Botswana in January 2026.
The cheetahs are currently quarantined at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana.
Existing infrastructure from previous cheetah introductions will be used for the new arrivals.
The cheetahs will be quarantined for a month and then moved to larger enclosures for acclimatization.
The introduction aims to create a diverse genetic pool and boost the cheetah population in India.
- Who
- Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Botswana, Indian Government
- What
- Introduction of 8 cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park
- Where
- Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
- When
- Expected arrival in January 2026
- Why
- To create a diverse genetic pool and boost the cheetah population in India
Key facts
- Number of Cheetahs
- 8
- Source
- Botswana (Ghanzi region)
- Current Location
- Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana
- Expected Arrival
- January 2026
- Quarantine Duration
- 1 month
- Total Cheetahs in India
- 30
- Cheetahs in Kuno
- 27
- Third Cheetah Habitat
- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (formerly Nauradehi)
Quotes
Uttam Kumar Sharma
Field director of the Kuno National Park
“We are expecting a fresh batch of eight cheetahs from Botswana at the KNP sometime in January 2026”
deccanchronicle.com
Senior forest officer
A senior forest officer involved in the Cheetah Reintroduction Project
“Kuno will become the global lab for creating a diverse genetic pool of cheetahs”
deccanchronicle.com
