The return of the world’s fastest land animal to India represents a monumental effort to restore a vanished species to its native range. This ambitious undertaking marks the first-ever intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore, signifying a globally watched moment in conservation science. The project seeks to re-establish a functional population decades after the species was officially lost from the subcontinent. The magnitude of this ecological restoration attempt is underlined by the logistical complexity of moving these big cats across continents and the scientific planning required for their survival.
Extinction of the Asiatic Cheetah
The historical presence of the cheetah in India, where it was known as the hunting-leopard, ended with its declaration of local extinction in 1952. The decline of the Asiatic subspecies, Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, was rooted in centuries of human activity. Indian royalty and nobility captured and tamed cheetahs for use in coursing, a form of sport hunting. This practice, documented as early as the Mughal period, continuously removed breeding individuals and severely limited the species’ ability to replenish its numbers in the wild.
The most significant decline occurred during the British Raj, driven by trophy hunting and habitat destruction. The last three documented Asiatic cheetahs in India were reportedly shot in 1947. Beyond direct killing, the extensive conversion of grasslands and scrub forests into agricultural land fragmented the cheetah’s open habitat and depleted its natural prey base. The combination of hunting, capture for sport, and widespread habitat loss proved insurmountable for the native population.
Launching Project Cheetah
The goal of the reintroduction initiative, Project Cheetah, is to restore the species to its ecological role as an apex predator in India’s grassland and savanna ecosystems. Initiated in 2022, the project aims to establish a self-sustaining population, targeting the import of 50 cheetahs over five years. Achieving this required extensive international cooperation to secure a source population for the founding stock.
The first phase saw the translocation of eight cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022, followed by twelve cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023. The logistical operation involved a customized Boeing 747 aircraft transporting the animals to Gwalior, followed by helicopter transport to the final destination. Collaboration with Namibia and South Africa, countries with established cheetah conservation expertise, was formalized through official memorandums of understanding. This partnership ensured the selection of genetically healthy and behaviorally suitable animals.
African Versus Asiatic Cheetahs
The reintroduction effort utilizes the Southeast African cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, a distinct subspecies from the extinct Asiatic cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus venaticus. Genetic studies indicate the African and Asiatic populations diverged approximately 32,000 to 67,000 years ago, making them genetically separate lineages. Morphologically, the Asiatic cheetah is often described as having a paler coat, smaller head, and slightly longer legs compared to its African counterpart.
The decision to use African cheetahs stems from the dire status of the Asiatic subspecies, which survives only in a critically endangered population of fewer than 40 individuals in Iran. This Iranian population is too small and genetically bottlenecked to provide animals for a founding population without risking its extinction. The African cheetah was selected because it represents the closest available relative. The project operates under the principle of metapopulation conservation, acknowledging that a restored population of a related, viable subspecies can fulfill the lost ecological function in the historical range.
Kuno National Park as the Reintroduction Site
Kuno National Park, located in Madhya Pradesh, was chosen as the initial reintroduction site following a rigorous assessment of historical cheetah habitats. A primary selection criterion was the presence of an abundant and diverse prey base, including species such as:
- Chital (spotted deer)
- Sambar
- Nilgai (blue bull)
- Chinkara (Indian gazelle)
The park’s habitat, characterized by dry deciduous forest and savanna grasslands across 748 square kilometers, closely resembles the cheetah’s preferred environment.
Preparation involved significant infrastructural development, including the construction of large, fenced enclosures, known as bomas, for a soft release phase. This acclimatization period allows the cheetahs to adjust to the new climate, prey species, and local flora before being released into the wider park. Kuno was also selected due to its low density of human settlements and minimal human-wildlife conflict potential. All translocated cheetahs are fitted with satellite-enabled radio collars to track their movements, hunting success, and health in real-time, allowing conservation teams to intervene quickly if needed.
Initial Survival and Adaptation Challenges
Since the cheetahs’ arrival, the project has experienced both successes and significant setbacks in the adaptation process. Initial cub mortality has been high; for example, only one cub survived the challenging summer conditions from the first litter of four. Several adult cheetahs have also perished, with causes of death including infection, septicemia, and infighting among the newly introduced animals.
One unexpected challenge was radio collar-induced infections, particularly during the hot, humid monsoon season. The dense winter coat that African cheetahs naturally develop did not shed sufficiently in the Indian climate. This led to friction, external parasite infestations, and subsequent infection beneath the collars. Despite these losses, the successful breeding and birth of multiple litters offers a positive indicator that the African cheetahs can reproduce and establish a new generation. The project plans to translocate some individuals to the nearby Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to create a wider metapopulation and alleviate potential overcrowding at Kuno.