Overview
- Authorities in Botswana have captured eight cheetahs, including two males, for India’s reintroduction program, with a month-long quarantine and health checks underway.
- Officials gave differing timelines for the transfer, with one citing a likely January window due to formalities and holidays, while the environment minister said an agreement with Botswana could allow arrival this month.
- A five-member South African expert delegation inspected Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, expressed satisfaction with progress and addressed project queries with Indian counterparts.
- South Africa’s review also ties into a January 26 MoU that contemplates sending about 10 cheetahs annually for a decade, with final discussions scheduled at India’s environment ministry.
- India counts 27 cheetahs under Project Cheetah, facilities at Kuno are prepared for the next intake, preparations are advancing at Nauradehi, and President Droupadi Murmu plans to raise translocation issues during her visit to Angola and Botswana.