**Executive Summary**
On February 28, 2026, Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav welcomed nine cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park as part of Project Cheetah. The cheetahs will undergo quarantine and acclimatization. With this new arrival, India's cheetah population has reached 48, including 28 India-born cubs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Cheetah Introduction:**
* Nine cheetahs (6 females and 3 males) arrived from Botswana at Kuno National Park on February 28, 2026.
* These cheetahs will be quarantined and monitored before being released into the larger landscape.
* Previously, eight cheetahs were reintroduced from Namibia in September 2022, and twelve from South Africa in February 2023.
* **Project Cheetah and Collaboration:**
* Formal discussions between the Government of India and the Government of the Republic of Botswana began in December 2024.
* Botswana agreed to partner with India, supporting India's Action Plan for Cheetah Reintroduction.
* An Indian delegation visited Botswana in September 2025 to map operational modalities.
* Eight cheetahs were captured from the Ghanzi region of Botswana and transported to Gaborone.
* **Logistics and Transport:**
* The cheetahs were formally handed over to the Government of India in November 2025 during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Botswana and were released into quarantine enclosures at Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
* The cheetahs were transported from Mokolodi Nature Reserve to Gaborone Airport on February 27, 2026.
* The Indian Air Force airlifted the cheetahs to Gwalior and then transferred them by helicopter to Kuno National Park.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: The Government of India**
* **Impact:** Reinforces India's commitment to global conservation efforts and strengthens Project Cheetah. The project's success is attributed to the environmentally-conscious leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
* **Action Required:** Continue to oversee and support Project Cheetah through scientific oversight and global partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of the cheetah population.
**Stakeholder: Republic of Botswana**
* **Impact:** Partners with India on the Cheetah Reintroduction Project. The collaboration strengthens global cheetah conservation efforts and creates an additional secure population outside its traditional African range.
* **Action Required:** Continue collaboration and support.
**Stakeholder: Indian Air Force**
* **Impact:** Integral to the safe and efficient transport of the cheetahs from Botswana to India.
* **Action Required:** Continue support for precision flying.
Key Entities Referenced
Project Cheetah: India's flagship wildlife restoration programme focused on reintroducing cheetahs to India.
Kuno National Park: Location in Madhya Pradesh, India, where the cheetahs from Botswana and Namibia are being relocated.
Botswana: The Republic of Botswana, country partnering with India to source cheetahs for Project Cheetah.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Union Ministry responsible for overseeing Project Cheetah and related conservation efforts.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender
Yadav welcomes 9 Cheetahs from Botswana, at
Kuno National Park
India's thriving Cheetah population reaches 48, including 28
India-born cubs
Posted On: 28 FEB 2026 3:12PM by PIB Delhi
On February 28, 2026, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender
Yadav, released nine cheetahs received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park
in Madhya Pradesh. The animals will undergo an acclimatisation and health monitoring phase before their
gradual release into the larger landscape.
In a social media post on ‘X’, Shri Yadav announced the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana — 6
females and 3 males — at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park.
Adding to the purrs in Kuno!
After eight cheetahs from Namibia were first reintroduced to India on September
17, 2022, and 12 were brought from South Africa in February 2023, I am thrilled
to announce the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana — 6 females and 3
males — at Madhya… pic.twitter.com/RPXknl3yWF
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 28, 2026
The Minister informed that under the environmentally-conscious leadership of Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi, Project Cheetah has been a great success. India now has a thriving population of
48 cheetahs, including 28 India-born cubs.
The Journey
In December 2024, the Government of India initiated formal discussions with the Government of the
Republic of Botswana for sourcing cheetahs, to further strengthen Project Cheetah, India’s flagship
wildlife restoration programme. The proposal was formally advanced by Shri Bhupender Yadav, in
consultation with Mr. Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Republic of
Botswana.
Botswana agreed to partner with India, considering India’s comprehensive Action Plan for Cheetah
Reintroduction. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to strengthening global cheetah
conservation efforts and creating an additional secure population of the species outside its traditional
African range, increasing their long-term resilience.To operationalise the partnership, an Indian delegation visited Botswana in September 2025. The visit
focused on mapping out the operational modalities, transport logistics, and regulatory clearances in line
with international wildlife translocation standards. Following due scientific assessment, eight cheetahs
were identified and captured from the Ghanzi region of Botswana. The cheetahs were subsequently
transported approximately 700 kilometres by road to Gaborone under continuous veterinary supervision.
In November 2025, during the visit of President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, to Botswana, the eight
cheetahs were formally handed over to the Government of India. They were released into quarantine
enclosures at Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
An Indian delegation visited Botswana later in November 2025 to review quarantine arrangements, assess
enclosure conditions, and ensure readiness for international transfer. In December 2025, a Botswana
delegation visited India to review final logistical preparations and to observe ongoing cheetah
conservation efforts at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
On February 27, 2026, the cheetahs were transported from Mokolodi Nature Reserve to Gaborone Airport.
With the support of the Indian Air Force, the animals were airlifted to Gwalior, India, in a controlled and
monitored environment to ensure their safety and well-being throughout the journey. Upon arrival in
India, the cheetahs were transferred by helicopter to Kuno National Park.
In another social media post, Shri Yadav extended his appreciation to the Indian Air Force for the seamless
coordination, precision flying, and unwavering commitment displayed by the IAF ensured the safe journey
of these animals to India.
India’s sky high efforts for cheetahs 🐆 🇮🇳!
The cheetahs from Botswana were extended a smooth air ride to India by IAF’s
C17 Globemaster from 81 squadron (the Skylords), and further to Kuno by IAF’s
helicopters.
The seamless coordination, precision flying, and unwavering… pic.twitter.com/W
KFpsfLmgS
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 28, 2026
Project Cheetah continues to progress with strengthened global partnerships and robust scientific
oversight. The successful arrival of the Botswana cheetahs reinforces India’s resolve to create a
sustainable, free-ranging cheetah population and to contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts.
*****
VM
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