Project Cheetah is the world’s first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project, aimed at re-establishing the cheetah in India after it was declared extinct in 1952.
Current Status (December 2025)
- Population Count: India is currently home to 30–32 cheetahs (12 adults and approximately 19–20 India-born individuals).
- Second-Generation Success: In November 2025, an India-born cheetah named Mukhi gave birth to five healthy cubs, marking a major milestone for the project’s long-term viability.
- New Arrivals: A new batch of eight cheetahs from Botswana is scheduled to arrive in early 2026 (January–February), following a diplomatic agreement finalised in late 2025.
Key Expansion Sites
While Kuno National Park remains the primary hub, the project is expanding to create a metapopulation:
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (MP): Already operational as the second home; received its first cheetah, “Dheera,” in 2025.
- Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (MP): Being readied as the third site.
- Banni Grasslands (Gujarat): Under development to diversify the habitat.
Core Objectives & Challenges
- Ecological Goal: To restore the grassland-savanna biome where cheetahs serve as a flagship species.
- Livelihoods: Integration of “Cheetah Mitras” (over 450 locals) and eco-tourism to support regional economies.
- Challenges: Managing “winter coat” synchronisation issues, mortality rates (natural and stress-related), and ensuring a sufficient prey base across new landscapes.