Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Zambia Adopts Kuno’s Cheetah Conservation Model With Soft Release
Zambia is starting a cheetah conservation programme based on the model used at Kuno in India.
Six cheetahs were moved from South Africa to Zambia in July.
They will first stay in a protected quarantine enclosure for a month or longer.
Then they will move to a very large Soft Release Boma covering 2,000 hectares.
A boma is a safe enclosure that helps animals get used to a new home.
Later, the cheetahs will be released into the wild.
Collars will help officials track them all the time.
Kuno officials say their monitoring system has attracted international attention.
Zambia has adopted the Kuno cheetah conservation model for its own programme.
Six cheetahs were translocated from South Africa to Zambia in July, according to Kuno officials.
The cheetahs will spend at least a month in quarantine before entering a 2,000-hectare Soft Release Boma.
After release into the boma, the cheetahs will be fitted with collars and monitored continuously.
Kuno officials say 18 of the 20 cheetahs currently in its forest are living in the wild under constant monitoring.
- Who
- Zambia, Kuno officials, and six cheetahs translocated from South Africa.
- What
- Zambia is adopting the Kuno model, including quarantine, a Soft Release Boma, collaring, and continuous monitoring.
- When
- The six cheetahs were translocated in July; quarantine is planned for at least one month.
- Where
- The new programme will be carried out in Zambia, while the model comes from Kuno in Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Zambia is using the model for its cheetah conservation programme and planned reintroduction into the wild.
- Cheetahs moved
- Six cheetahs were translocated from South Africa to Zambia in July.
- Quarantine period
- The cheetahs will remain in a quarantine enclosure for one month or more.
- Soft Release Boma
- The planned boma will cover 2,000 hectares.
- Monitoring plan
- The cheetahs will be fitted with collars and monitored continuously after release.
- Kuno population
- Kuno officials reported that 18 of 20 cheetahs are currently in the wild.
- Kuno monitoring claim
- Kuno officials said at least 30 cheetahs have been radio-collared and monitored around the clock, describing it as a global first.