MP: Female Cheetah 'Veera' Released In Wild In Kuno National Park As Part Of Reintroduction Project

MP: Female Cheetah ‘Veera’ Released In Wild In Kuno National Park As Part Of Reintroduction Project

Project Cheetah News:  A female Cheetah named Veera has been released into the wild at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, according to an official statement. The Cheetah was set free in the Nayagaon forest range, falling under the Pipalbaori tourist zone, and is reported to be in good health. This development opens up opportunities for tourists to see these large cats in the open wilderness. ‘

Notably, this release follows the recent introduction of two male cheetahs, Agni and Vayu, into the Parond forest range under the Ahera tourism zone of the national park three days ago. The initiative is part of the ‘Cheetah Reintroduction Project,’ offering visitors the chance to witness these animals in their designated area.

Kuno National Park is situated on the Northern side of the Vidhyachal mountains and has an area of 344.686 sq km. It was named after a tributary of the Chambal River.

Earlier, India’s ambitious project Cheetah was completed one year after the first batch of eight Namibian cheetahs was released in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on September 17, 2022.

Subsequently, twelve cheetahs from South Africa were also translocated and released in Kuno National Park in February 2023.

These cheetahs represent a big feather in India’s cap for restoring natural treasures. The entire project was implemented under the meticulous supervision of the expert team consisting of government officials, scientists, wildlife biologists and veterinarians belonging to Namibia, South Africa and India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated.

A total of 20 animals were imported from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno in two batches — one in September last year and the second in February this year. Six of these adult cheetahs have died due to various reasons since March. Earlier in May, three of the four cubs born to a female Namibian cheetah succumbed to extreme heat. The remaining cub is being raised under human care for future wildlings.

(With agency inputs)