Latest news with #CheetahProject
News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
Cheetah travels from MPs Kuno to Rajasthan; brought back home
Agency: PTI Sheopur (MP), Aug 13 (PTI) A free-ranging female cheetah, Jwala, strayed from its home in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park to neighbouring Rajasthan, about 100 km away, and has been rescued from there, officials said on Wednesday. The cheetah crossed the inter-state boundary, moving amidst a human-dominated landscape, during the day time on Monday, a Cheetah Project official said. Considering the safety of the animal and the people, a decision was taken to rescue the cheetah, the official said. 'On August 12, female cheetah Jwala was rescued from Kareera Kalan village in Sawaimadhopur district of Rajasthan, under challenging conditions. With an enormous crowd of onlookers, the cornered animal was rescued after darting," the official said. The animal had to be handled physically by the cheetah monitoring team, by pulling the goat kill made by the feline in an effort to confine it within an enclosure to prevent any conflict, the official said. After the successful rescue, the animal has been shifted to the Kuno National Park (KNP), the official said. The KNP management extends its gratitude to Rajasthan's police and forest department staff for their support in the operation, the official added. At present, the KNP has 26 cheetahs — 9 adults (6 females and 3 males) and 17 Indian born cubs. All are healthy and doing well, an official earlier said. Out of 26 cheetahs, 16 are roaming freely in the wild and they have adapted well to the national park's habitat, learnt to live with co-predators and are regularly hunting, the official added. In addition, two male cheetahs shifted to the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary from the KNP were also doing well. Eight Namibian cheetahs — five females and three males — were released into the Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022, marking the first-ever intercontinental translocation of these big cats, as part of efforts to reintroduce them in India. Twelve more cheetahs were translocated from South Africa to Kuno in February 2023. PTI COR MAS GK view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 13:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Exclusive: India works diplomatic hotlines from South Africa to Botswana to bring home next batch of cheetahs
Over the past two years, India has been working its diplomatic channels with Botswana, South Africa and Kenya as it navigates a complex set of negotiations to replenish its African cheetah population. Senior members of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have said that talks with South Africa, a key source country, have slowed down following the formation of a new political coalition after general elections there last year. At the same time, Botswana has formally committed to sending four cheetahs, and discussions are underway to finalise timelines. In Kenya, negotiations remain broad, centred on long-term collaboration rather than immediate translocation. As many as 20 cheetahs have already been brought to India as part of the country's ambitious translocation plans. Of these, eight were brought from Namibia in 2022 and 12 from South Africa in early 2023. They were all brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. In April this year, the Madhya Pradesh government announced that eight new cheetahs would be brought from Botswana and that the first four would arrive by May. That is yet to happen. A senior official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said, 'We have sought an engagement to work out the logistics. Our High Commission is coordinating to arrive at dates of mutual convenience. The Union Minister concerned has been working on speeding up negotiations with the other countries.' Records of Cheetah Project Steering Committee meetings show that as early as December 13, 2023, the committee was apprised that 'steps have been taken for bringing further cheetahs from Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, and other range countries as well.' However, the NTCA has clarified that as of now, there is 'no arrangement with Sudan or Tanzania'. As for South Africa, with the translocation of 12 cheetahs having already taken place in 2023, experts from the country have been closely associated with India's Cheetah Project. However, the changes in government in the country have led to delays in further discussions to bring more cheetahs to India, officials said. 'In South Africa, there has been a significant change in the government since the last engagement. Hence, the processes are taking time. The new government is going through the nuances and understanding the project,' a senior NTCA official. In 2024, the ruling African National Congress lost its outright majority, which it had enjoyed for over 30 years, and has been in a shaky coalition with the Democratic Alliance that is under threat of collapse over sharp divisions between the two parties. As per the steering committee's meeting records from December 4, 2024, committee adviser S P Yadav said that 'bringing cheetahs from South Africa may take time beyond three months since negotiations are underway'. 'Cheetahs from Kuno National Park need to be translocated to the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary for fostering housekeeping practices. The fresh lot from South Africa are to be housed in Kuno,' Yadav told the committee. The DIG of the NTCA, Dr Vaibhav C Mathur, had in this meeting apprised the committee that a high-level delegation had visited Kenya 'for sourcing of cheetahs' and that action was underway 'for dialogue with governments of Botswana and South Africa on sourcing of cheetahs'. On February 19 this year, the State Chief Wildlife Warden, Shubharanjan Sen, again suggested to the committee that the cheetahs in Kuno be transported in order to 'bring new cheetahs from South Africa'. Mathur had apprised the committee that there was a 'deadlock with South Africa' and that officials were trying to address it. Mathur also told the committee that an MoU with Kenya would be signed in the first week of March. Unlike with Botswana, discussions with Kenya have remained 'generic and overarching', with the focus more on 'capacity building for their staff, use of technology for protection, and similar collaborative efforts,' an NTCA official said. The chairman of the Cheetah Project Steering Committee, Dr Rajesh Gopal, said, 'We are yet to get a fresh stock. In the last steering committee meeting, the Government of India informed us that discussions are ongoing. Several countries are being explored — we haven't narrowed it down to one yet. There are options on the table.' Madhya Pradesh wildlife officials are also involved in on-ground diplomacy. A senior state forest department officer, who was part of a delegation to South Africa, said, 'We have visited South Africa and held discussions with their team. We will soon issue an update after the NTCA delegation clears some issues… There are new officials and we are getting them up to speed with our preparations in Gandhisagar and our success with the project.' After a number of deaths and several births, the cheetah population in Kuno now stands at 26, including nine adult cheetahs (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born in India. Officials said all the remaining cheetahs, including the two males kept at Gandhisagar, are in good health.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
8-year-old Namibian female cheetah dies from injuries at Kuno
An eight-year-old Namibian female cheetah named Nabha died at Kuno National Park on Saturday, a week after sustaining severe injuries likely during a hunting attempt inside its soft release enclosure. 'Nabha got badly injured a week back, probably during a hunting attempt inside her soft release boma. She had fractures in both the ulna and fibula on the left side, along with other injuries. Despite a week-long treatment, she succumbed to her injuries today,' said Uttam Sharma, the field director of the Cheetah Project. Nabha was one of the cheetahs translocated from Namibia under Project Cheetah, the Government of India's flagship reintroduction initiative. The cheetahs were brought to Kuno in two phases — the first batch from Namibia in September 2022 and the second from South Africa in February 2023. With Nabha's death, the cheetah population at Kuno now stands at 26, including nine adult cheetahs (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born in India. Officials said all the remaining cheetahs, including the two males kept at Gandhisagar, are in good health. 'Currently, 16 cheetahs are living in the wild at Kuno and have adapted well to their new habitat. They have learned to coexist with co-predators and are regularly hunting,' Sharma said, adding that a recent round of anti-parasitic treatment for all cheetahs has been completed successfully. Two female cheetahs, Veera and Nirva, have also recently given birth and are reported to be doing well along with their cubs. A post-mortem report is awaited to determine the exact cause of Nabha's death.
Economic Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Economic Times
Namibian cheetah dies of injuries in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno, total count now down to 26
Synopsis Nabha, an eight-year-old female cheetah translocated from Namibia, died from injuries sustained during a hunting attempt at Kuno National Park. This loss reduces the park's cheetah population to 26, comprising nine adults and seventeen cubs. Despite this setback, project authorities report that the remaining cheetahs are healthy and adapting well to their environment. ANI MP: 8-year-old Namibian female cheetah Nabha dies following injury An eight-year-old female cheetah named Nabha, brought from Namibia under India's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, died of injuries at Kuno National Park (KNP) on Saturday, taking the total number of cheetahs in the park down to 26. The death was confirmed by project authorities.'Nabha was badly injured a week back, probably during a hunting attempt inside her soft release enclosure. She had fractures in both ulna and fibula on the left side along with other injuries,' Cheetah Project Field Director Uttam Sharma said in a statement, as reported by had been under treatment for the past week but succumbed to her injuries on Saturday. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination, officials was among the cheetahs translocated from Namibia in 2022 as part of India's efforts to reintroduce the species seven decades after it was declared extinct in the Nabha's death, Kuno now has 26 cheetahs left—nine adults (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born within the park. "All are healthy and doing well," Sharma said. He added that two male cheetahs relocated to Gandhisagar from Kuno are also in good health. Of the 26 cheetahs currently in Kuno, 16 are roaming freely in the wild. According to Sharma, 'They have adapted well to the habitat, have learned to live with co-predators, and are regularly hunting.'He also noted that a round of anti-ecto-parasitic treatment was recently completed for all further confirmed that two mothers, Veera and Nirva, along with their recently born cubs, are also healthy and death adds to the list of casualties that have dogged the high-profile conservation initiative since its launch. The project continues to face scrutiny from experts and conservationists over issues of habitat suitability, management, and long-term sustainability. (With inputs from PTI)
India.com
12-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Namibian Female Cheetah, Nabha Dies Of Injuries In Kuno National Park
New Delhi: An 8-year-old female cheetah named Nabha, brought from Namibia as part of India's ambitious cheetah reintroduction program, died today at Kuno National Park following injuries sustained last week. According to an official press note issued by the Field Director of the Cheetah Project, Nabha was likely injured during a hunting attempt inside her Soft Release Boma. She suffered fractures in both her ulna and fibula on the left side, along with other injuries. Despite receiving treatment for a week, she succumbed to her wounds. Authorities await a post-mortem report for further details. Nabha, an 8-year-old Namibian female cheetah of Kuno National Park, died today after she was injured a week ago probably during hunting attempt inside her Soft Release Boma. "Nabha, 8-year-old Namibian female cheetah, died today. She got badly injured a week back probably during… — ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2025 With Nabha's passing, Kuno is now home to 26 cheetahs, 9 adults (6 females and 3 males), and 17 Indian-born cubs. All remaining cheetahs are reportedly healthy and doing well. Two additional male cheetahs housed at the Gandhisagar Sanctuary are also in good condition. Of the 26 cheetahs in Kuno, 16 have been released into the wild and are adapting successfully. Officials say the animals have acclimated to their new habitat, are coexisting with other predators, and are actively hunting. Recent veterinary efforts included the successful administration of anti-ecto-parasitic treatment to all cheetahs. Two female cheetahs, Veera and Nirva, have recently given birth and are reportedly in good health along with their cubs.
