The Cheetah return to India to reverse their extinction - translocation from Mapesu, South Africa

In June of 2022, Mapesu's female cheetah was translocated to holding facility until she is transported along side another 20 male and female cheetahs for their reintroduction to India.

Since 1952, cheetahs have been officially declared extinct in the Republic of India. The idea of reviving cheetahs has been explored since 2009. However, in January 2020, India's National Tiger Conservation Authority, kick-started the re-introduction further.

The project is to introduce 4 big cats: Lions, Tigers, Cheetahs and Leopards to Kuno-Palpur, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (KNP), starting with Cheetahs. Spread over 748 square kilometres, KNP has an adequate prey base. It is devoid of human settlements, forms a part of the Sheopur-Shivpuri deciduous open forest landscape and is estimated to have a capacity to sustain 21 cheetahs.

Once restored, the larger landscape can hold about 36 cheetahs. The carrying capacity can be further enhanced by including the remaining part of the Kuno Wildlife Division (1,280 sq km) through prey restoration.