Conservationists say efforts to reintroduce species face a bumpy road and Project Cheetah is no exception.
The ambitious plan to reintroduce cheetahs to India recently marked a major success. A cheetah born in India gave birth to five cubs. Unfortunately in the recent time frame a cub was killed by a speeding vehicle. The project has been active since 2022. It is trying to mirror the success of Project Tiger which has revitalized tiger populations in India
According to newsonair.gov.in:
“The world’s first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore has helped revive cheetah populations in the country. As of this month, Kuno National Park is home to 30 cheetahs, including 12 adults, 9 sub-adults, and 9 cubs, with 19 of them born on Indian soil. A major breakthrough came this year when Mukhi, India’s first cheetah cub born, gave birth to five healthy cubs, marking the arrival of a new generation. “
The reintroduction has not been without problems, however. A number of cheetahs have died during the project. A cub was reportedly killed by a speeding vehicle recently. Indian officials say the survival rates are good for cheetahs in the project. More transfers from Africa are being considered, including 8 African cheetahs recently arrived. Namibia, Botswana and South Africa are three countries that have sent cheetahs or are condidering it.
The program has been heavily criticized. Some experts question the methodology and alleged lack of proper preparation. But defenders are stepping forward.
In a long piece the website frontiersin rebuts many of the criticisms
“While the unfounded negative narratives surrounding Project Cheetah are unlikely to diminish the Government of India’s steadfast commitment to the initiative, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as the lead implementing agency, recognizes the critical importance of transparency and public accountability. Efforts to disseminate information regarding the project, including mortality details, cheetah movements, prey abundance and research efforts are regularly being carried out in the form of annual reports in NTCA’s official website (https://ntca.gov.in/reports/#reports2) and through formal press briefings (National Tiger Conservation Authority et al., 2023; Qureshi et al., 2024a; National Tiger Conservation Authority, 2025; Press Trust of India, 2024a, b). However, it is imperative to further counter misinformation and promote evidence-based discourse by publicizing factual data and providing an accurate assessment of the project’s current status. This is essential not only for rectifying misconceptions but also for advancing the broader objectives of conservation science and practice.”
JThe project involves importing cheetahs from Africa and placing them in enclosures to acclimate. The cheetahs are then expected to be released into the wild. Release into the wild has been slow and not always successful. About 7000 cheetahs are thought to remain in Africa. Perhaps 100 in Iran. The cats were exterminated in India during the 1950s.