Cheetah Relocation:

7.Cheetah Relocation: Cheetah Project Steering Committee has recently approved relocation of cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh.

• About Cheetah Relocation:

o Steering Committee: Set up by NTCA in May 2023 to monitor and advise the cheetah reintroduction program.

o Project Cheetah: Launched in 2022 with 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa brought to Kuno.

o New Site: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary identified to support a meta-population of 60–70 cheetahs across Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape (Madhya Pradesh–Rajasthan).

o Prey Base at Gandhi Sagar: Includes chinkara, chousingha, nilgai, and chital.

• About Cheetahs:

o Breeding: Year-round; peak in rainy season & Maturity: Females – 20–24 months; Males – 24–30 months.

o Gestation: Around 90–95 days, with 3–5 cubs per litter & Communication: No roar; use chirps, barks, and stutter barks.

o Speed: Fastest land animal, up to 120 km/h, accelerates 0–100 km/h in 3 seconds, uses tripping with semi-retractable claws; success rate 40–50%.

• Protection Status of Cheetahs: Listed as Vulnerable under IUCN Red List.

o Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed in Schedule II.

o CITES: Included in Appendix I (highest trade protection).