Sheopur

Nine cheetahs airlifted from Botswana are in good health and were served food for the first time on Monday at their quarantine enclosures in Kuno National Park, officials said.

The animals form the third batch of African cheetahs brought to India under the government’s four-year cheetah population revival programme. They arrived on Saturday aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft.

“All nine cheetahs from Botswana are fit and fine. They were served their first meal this morning in the quarantine enclosures,” Project Cheetah Director Uttam Sharma told PTI.

Officials said cheetahs generally eat once every three to five days, consuming about 15 kg of meat on average. Adult cheetahs typically weigh between 40 kg and 65 kg.

With the latest arrival, the total number of cheetahs in India has risen to 48, Sharma said. Of these, three have been relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, while the rest are housed at Kuno. Authorities noted that endangered species are not kept in a single habitat to minimise the risk of disease outbreaks.

The cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal, became extinct in India nearly seven decades ago.

Officials also shared updates on breeding success at Kuno. Last year, 12 cubs were born, though six cheetahs, including three cubs, did not survive. This year, nine cubs were born in two litters between February 7 and February 18.

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Since 2023, a total of 39 cubs have been born at Kuno, of which 27 have survived. Namibia-born Jwala and Aasha, South Africa-born Gamini, Veera and Nirva, and India-born Mukhi have all produced litters at the park, officials said.