Second batch of 12 cheetahs arrived India from South Africa, now to be quarantined in Kuno National Park

• Image Credit: Prag News

• Feb 18, 2023 | Poonam Nath

The Indian Air Force airlifted 12 more cheetahs from South Africa to Gwalior on Saturday, months after eight cheetahs transferred to India...

Digital Desk: The Indian Air Force transferred 12 more cheetahs from South Africa to Gwalior on Saturday, months after eight cheetahs were brought to India from Namibia.

These cheetahs were later moved to Kuno National Park (KNP) in the Sheopur district, where they will be kept in quarantine shelters. There are seven males and five females among these animals.

The jet transporting these large cats arrived at Gwalior airport at 10 a.m. Cheetahs will be released to quarantine bomas (An enclosure usually made of thorn bushes, and latterly of steel fencing, for protection from marauders) by Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister for Environment and Forests Bhupender Yadav upon their arrival at Kuno National Park. 

These cheetahs were airlifted from the O R Tambo International Airport in Gauteng, South Africa. While authorities have already set up ten quarantine bomas in the park, these animals will be confined in pairs in two separate locations.

These cheetahs were eventually delivered to the country after an agreement was made between India and South Africa last month. Even though the government planned to bring these creatures into India, the process was delayed due to formalities. 

It should be mentioned that these animals are being brought in as part of the government's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme. Even though the last cheetah in the country died in 1947, the government proclaimed the species extinct in 1952.

The eight cheetahs brought in from Namibia last year have been housed in the same park's hunting enclosures. According to estimates, the government will have to pay South Africa USD 3000 for their capture and transfer. 

As per the country's wildlife regulations, any animal brought in from overseas must be quarantined and held in isolation for additional 30 days upon arrival. Cheetah numbers have risen from 217 in 2011 to 507 today.