Kuno National Park Cheetah:- Can cheetahs reclaim their lost home in India? Once sprinting across the subcontinent’s grasslands, cheetahs vanished from India by 1952, hunted to extinction. Now, Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the stage for an audacious experiment: Project Cheetah, a $14 million gamble to bring these majestic cats back. Launched in 2022, this globally watched initiative has sparked hope, controversy, and a tourism boom. From African cheetahs adapting to Indian terrain to local economies thriving, Kuno’s story is a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. This article dives into why Kuno National Park is the cheetah’s new kingdom, tracks Project Cheetah’s progress as of 2025, and explores what lies ahead for India’s fastest comeback.
Kuno National Park: The Cheetah’s New Kingdom
Why is Kuno National Park ideal for cheetahs? Nestled in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, Kuno’s 748 square kilometers of grasslands, woodlands, and ravines mirror the savannas of Namibia and South Africa, where cheetahs thrive. Its rolling hills, dotted with acacia and dry deciduous forests, offer perfect hunting grounds for these speedsters, who can hit 60 mph in seconds. Kuno’s biodiversity—home to leopards, hyenas, and prey like chital and blackbuck—creates a balanced ecosystem. The Kuno River ensures water supply, while low human density minimizes conflict.
“Kuno’s landscape is a cheetah’s playground,” says Yadvendradev Jhala, a wildlife biologist instrumental in site selection. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chose Kuno after studying 10 sites, citing its prey abundance and minimal livestock grazing. Yet, Kuno wasn’t always this serene. Once plagued by dacoits, it transformed into a conservation haven after relocating 24 villages—a move costing $2 million but ensuring space for wildlife.
Project Cheetah: India’s $14 Million Gamble
Project Cheetah is India’s most ambitious wildlife reintroduction effort. Launched on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight Namibian cheetahs into Kuno, it aims to restore an extinct species and boost ecological balance. The $14 million project, funded by the government and corporate partners, plans to establish a self-sustaining cheetah population by 2030.
The timeline is gripping:
- 2022: Eight Namibian cheetahs arrive; five more from South Africa follow in 2023.
- 2023: First cubs born, a milestone for Kuno National Park cheetah breeding.
- 2024: Population grows, but mortalities raise alarms.
- 2025: Expansion plans target Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
The goal? A metapopulation of 60–70 cheetahs across central India. Critics, however, question the choice of African cheetahs over Iran’s critically endangered Asiatic cheetahs. “African cheetahs are like athletes adapting to a new marathon track,” explains an NTCA official, defending their resilience. Despite debates, Project Cheetah has put India on the global conservation map.
From Namibia to Kuno: Cheetahs’ Rocky Road Home
How many cheetahs are in Kuno today? As of May 2025, Kuno National Park hosts 24 cheetahs: 13 adults and 11 cubs. Since 2022, 20 cheetahs were translocated—eight from Namibia and 12 from South Africa. Nineteen cubs have been born, a testament to breeding success. However, seven adults and three cubs have died, tempering optimism.
The journey began with fanfare. Namibian cheetahs, airlifted in a customized Boeing 747, were released into Kuno’s 5-sq-km enclosures. South African cheetahs followed, adapting faster due to similar climates. By 2024, cub births signaled hope, with one female, Gamini, delivering six cubs—a record. Yet, survival rates are shaky. “Each cub born is a victory, but every loss stings,” says an NTCA ranger. Radio-collared cheetahs roam 150 sq km, tracked by 200 staff, ensuring data on hunting and mating.
Survival Struggles: Why Cheetahs Died in Kuno
What are the challenges for Kuno National Park cheetah? Mortality is the biggest hurdle. Of 10 deaths, causes include septicemia from collar injuries, drowning during monsoons, and snakebites. Infections, linked to India’s humid climate, differ from Africa’s dry savannas. “Cheetahs’ immune systems are playing catch-up,” notes Jhala.
Prey shortages also loom. Kuno’s 5,000 chital and blackbuck are stretched thin, forcing cheetahs to hunt smaller prey like hares, which don’t sustain them. Human-wildlife conflict adds pressure; two cheetahs strayed into villages, sparking panic. Poaching risks linger, with 50 forest guards patrolling 24/7.
Critics highlight planning gaps. The African vs. Asiatic cheetah debate persists—Iran’s 12 Asiatic cheetahs are too few for translocation. Others argue Kuno’s leopard population (40+) competes for prey. Yet, NTCA remains proactive, vaccinating cheetahs and boosting prey stocks with 1,000 relocated deer.
Tourism Goldrush: How Cheetahs Saved Sheopur’s Economy
Kuno Wildlife Safari is rewriting Sheopur’s story. Once a sleepy district, it now draws 50,000 tourists annually, up 300% since 2022. Cheetah safaris, launched in 2023, generate $1.2 million yearly, funding conservation and jobs. Local guides, many from relocated villages, earn $400 monthly—a lifeline in a region where 60% live below the poverty line.
Safaris operate from October to March, with 20 jeeps daily. Tickets cost $20 for Indians, $50 for foreigners, and bookings on Kuno’s official website are often sold out. Homestays and eco-lodges have mushroomed, employing 1,500 locals. “Cheetahs brought us hope,” says Rani, a homestay owner.
Ecotourism balances conservation and commerce. Revenue funds anti-poaching patrols and prey restocking. However, unregulated tourism risks disturbing cheetahs, prompting NTCA to cap daily visitors at 200. For travelers, spotting a Kuno National Park cheetah sprinting across grasslands is a bucket-list thrill.
Link suggestion: Kuno National Park’s official safari portal.
Gandhi Sagar & Beyond: Cheetahs’ Future in India
The Kuno National Park cheetah story is just the beginning. By 2025, NTCA plans to translocate 10 cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, 200 km away, creating a metapopulation. This 368-sq-km reserve, with denser prey (7,000 chital), could host 15 cheetahs by 2030. Mukundra Hills and Nauradehi sanctuaries are next, aiming for 70 cheetahs across four sites.
Long-term, Cheetah Reintroduction in India seeks ecological balance. Cheetahs control herbivore populations, preventing overgrazing. Community buy-in is key—NTCA’s $1 million outreach educates locals, reducing conflict. Global support, including IUCN expertise, bolsters efforts.
Challenges remain: climate change, habitat loss, and funding. Yet, optimism persists. “If cheetahs thrive, so does India’s conservation ethos,” says PM Modi. The NTCA’s 2030 vision hinges on scaling prey, securing corridors, and sustaining tourism revenue.
Link suggestion: NTCA’s Project Cheetah updates.
Conclusion: Join the Cheetah’s Comeback
The Kuno National Park cheetah saga is a testament to India’s conservation ambition. From 13 adults and 11 cubs braving Kuno’s wilds to Sheopur’s economic revival, Project Cheetah blends science, hope, and grit. Challenges—mortalities, prey shortages, and debates—persist, but so does progress. You can help: book a Kuno Wildlife Safari, support NTCA’s outreach, or spread awareness. As cheetahs sprint toward a new future, their story invites us all to champion wildlife revival. Will you join the race?
FAQ: Kuno National Park Cheetah
Q: How many cheetahs are in Kuno National Park in 2025?
A: 24 (13 adults, 11 cubs).
Q: Why were African cheetahs chosen?
A: Iran’s Asiatic cheetahs are too few; African cheetahs are genetically close and adaptable.
Q: Can I visit Kuno for a cheetah safari?
A: Yes, book via Kuno’s official website from October to March.
Q: What’s the biggest threat to Kuno’s cheetahs?
A: Infections, prey shortages, and human-wildlife conflict.
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