Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary Prepares for Cheetah Introduction

• 27 Apr 2024

Officials plan to release five to eight cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh's Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary, focusing on breeding and ecological restoration, with a visit from a South African delegation.

Key Points

• Fenced Area for Cheetahs: Five to eight cheetahs will be released into a 64 square-km fenced area in Gandhisagar, aimed at breeding and conservation efforts.
• Collaboration Discussions: South African and Indian officials discuss strengthening collaboration in species conservation, particularly focusing on Project Cheetah.
• Habitat Restoration: Cheetahs will be released into free-ranging conditions after ecological restoration and prey recovery in the Gandhisagar landscape.
• Long-Term Goal: The goal is to establish a metapopulation of 60-70 cheetahs in the Kuno-Gandhisagar landscape after restorative measures and prey availability.
• Project Cheetah Initiative: Project aims to reintroduce cheetahs, the only large carnivore species extinct in independent India, with recent births showing progress.
• Cheetah Conservation Efforts: Despite initial challenges, recent births indicate progress in the cheetah conservation project, with 26 cheetahs, including cubs, in Kuno.