By December, India To Receive New Batch Of African Cheetahs; New Release Sites Ready In Gujarat And MP

India is set to welcome more cheetahs by the end of this year, with talks underway with countries like Kenya, Namibia, and Botswana. Each of these countries may send 8–10 African cheetahs, and by December, at least one batch from Namibia or Botswana is expected to arrive in India. The batch from Kenya could follow next year.

African Cheetahs To Arrive In India By December

This is a big moment for Project Cheetah, which has already been a success story. There are currently 27 cheetahs in India, 15 of which are free to roam the wild. In addition to their original home in Kuno, Madhya Pradesh, 3 more cheetahs were released into the Gandhisagar sanctuary this year.

The survival of cheetahs in India has been exceptional. Cub survival rates are over 61%, far above the global standard of 40%. Adult cheetahs in Kuno have also thrived, with survival rates rising from 70% in the first year to 85.7% in the second year, News 18 reported. Experts credit India’s success to its abundant habitats, good protection laws, and enough prey for cheetahs.

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and the Banni grasslands in Gujarat have been chosen as the two new release sites for the future. It is likely that Banni will house the African cheetahs travelling from Kenya, bringing their speed to a new area of India.

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India Prepares For The Next Wave Of Cheetahs

India has already been steadily building its cheetah population. In 2022, eight African cheetahs came from Namibia, followed by 12 from South Africa in 2023. As per the News 18 reports, of the 20 translocated cheetahs, 11 have survived so far. India has also successfully bred 26 cheetahs, 16 of which continue to thrive in the wild. To keep track of each cheetah, adult animals are fitted with radio collars, and there have been no incidents since the second year as the cheetahs adapted to their new homes.

The plan now is to bring in 10–12 cheetahs every year, ensuring genetic diversity and strong, healthy populations while restoring and expanding their natural habitats. According to Union Minister for Environment and Forests Bhupender Yadav, the cheetahs are adapting well, hunting local prey, and living alongside other carnivores, New 18 reported.

With more African cheetahs arriving soon, new habitats ready, and successful breeding already underway, India is not just bringing back a species—it is creating a story of hope, wildlife revival, and conservation that the world is watching closely. For wildlife enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to witness one of the most remarkable conservation stories in history.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Valentin Petrescu’s images