The ambitious Project Cheetah has started the year 2026 on a highly promising note, marked by potential new births within India and fresh international reinforcements on the way. Conservation officials have confirmed that at least three cheetahs are currently undergoing incubation periods, while a new batch of eight cheetahs is scheduled to arrive from Botswana next month.
On-Ground Success: Suspected Pregnancies and Mating
In a significant development for the cheetah reintroduction programme, ground efforts are showing tangible results. Authorities have identified at least three cheetahs in suspected incubation phases across Kuno National Park in Sheopur and the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh.
Forest department officials revealed that these potential pregnancies were detected through rigorous behavioural monitoring and veterinary check-ups. Key indicators include reduced daily movement, extended resting hours, and increased sensitivity to any external disturbances. A senior official stated that field teams are adhering to a strict minimal-intervention protocol to ensure the well-being of the felines during this critical period.
Adding to the optimism, officials confirmed that a female cheetah recently released into the wild at Gandhi Sagar has successfully mated, raising hopes for cubs in the near future. However, they emphasized that successful births can only be confirmed after the completion of the incubation cycle and subsequent post-birth monitoring.
International Collaboration: Botswana Delegation Reviews Readiness
Preparations for the next crucial phase of the project were recently scrutinized by a three-member expert delegation from Botswana. The team visited Kuno National Park as part of the ongoing coordination under Project Cheetah. The delegation included Dr. Mmadi Reuben (Veterinary Officer), Adrian Kholi (Security Officer), and Phemelo Gadimang (Biologist) from Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
The officials conducted a thorough inspection of the animal holding enclosures, veterinary facilities, and security arrangements at Kuno. An official familiar with the visit said the assessment aimed to evaluate on-ground readiness and ensure all international translocation protocols are firmly in place before the animals are moved.
February Translocation and Future Strategy
According to the current plan, eight cheetahs from Botswana—comprising two adult females and their six cubs—are likely to arrive in India during the first or second week of February 2026. The cargo aircraft is scheduled to land at the Maharajpur Air Force Station in Gwalior. From there, the animals will be transported to Kuno by road under stringent security and veterinary supervision.
Upon arrival, the cheetahs will undergo a mandatory quarantine period. The duration of quarantine and their phased release into the wild will be finalized based on guidelines from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and detailed post-arrival health assessments.
Kuno National Park remains the central hub for India's cheetah reintroduction, hosting earlier batches from Namibia and South Africa. Gandhi Sagar is being developed as a complementary landscape to alleviate ecological pressure on a single park and support a long-term meta-population strategy for genetic diversity and sustainability.
Wildlife experts believe the confluence of new translocations and potential in-situ births indicates Project Cheetah is entering a vital consolidation phase. An official noted that if the current incubation cycles are successful, India could see a notable increase in its cheetah population by early 2026, while cautioning that the initial weeks post-birth are the most critical for cub survival.
With African partners endorsing India's preparedness and the prospect of cheetahs being born on Indian soil, the coming months are pivotal for this historic effort to re-establish the species in the country's wilds after an absence of over seven decades. Kuno currently houses 29 cheetahs, including adults and cubs, while three cheetahs at Gandhi Sagar are reported to be acclimatizing well under constant monitoring.
