Kuno National Park: The forests of Kuno National Park located in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh are going to be vibrant once again. Here, the gradual release of cheetahs brought from Africa to India will be started at the end of October. The leopards named Agni-Vayu will be released first in Palpur Eastern Range, while Prabhas-Pavak will roam in another part of the forest.
On this, Kuno management says that it is more important to release female leopards along with males. Since they will come in search of a female, there are chances of a fight between them and there will be a crowd present nearby, hence it will be necessary to take precautions.
Gandhisagar is ready to welcome the new flock
National Park officials said that Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary is all set to welcome the new herd of leopards. This will be the second home of leopards in India. He further said that a total of 20 leopards have been brought to Kuno National Park. Of these, 8 leopards were brought from Namibia in September 2022, while 12 leopards were brought from South Africa in February 2023.
A total of 24 leopards including cubs are present.
Let us tell you that out of 20 cheetahs brought to India, eight adult cheetahs (3 females and 5 males) died. At the same time, after coming to India, 17 cubs were born, out of which 12 are alive. Thus, at present there are a total of 24 leopards including cubs in Kuno. These leopards are currently present in an enclosure of 0.5 to 1.5 square kilometers. On the other hand, they generally require a forest area of more than 50 square kilometers to live in their natural state.
Cheetah conservation complex to be established
Officials of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said that cheetah talks with South Africa and Kenya are in the final stages. The number of leopards will be increased very soon. Under the 'Action Plan for Rehabilitation of Cheetahs in India', there is a plan to bring 12 to 14 cheetahs every year from South Africa, Namibia and other African countries until a sufficient number is reached.
Officials said that a conservation and breeding center is being set up in the Banni grasslands of Gujarat. In such a situation, there is a possibility that leopards will be brought from Kenya. According to the annual report for 2023-24 regarding the Cheetah Project, India aims to establish an Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Complex in the Kuno-Gandhisagar forest area between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the next 25 years.
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