25 Mar 2026
Cheetahs once roamed widely across India’s grasslands but were driven to extinction by hunting and habitat loss, with the species officially declared extinct in 1952. In 2022, India launched Project Cheetah, an ambitious conservation experiment to reintroduce the world’s fastest land animal into the country’s ecosystems. The program began with the relocation of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, marking the first time a large carnivore has been moved between continents for conservation. Since then, the project has experienced both successes and setbacks. Several imported cheetahs died in the early years due to injuries, illness, or adaptation challenges, sparking debate among conservationists. At the same time, multiple litters of cubs have been born in India, indicating that some animals are adapting and breeding in the new habitat. By 2026, the population has grown to more than 50 cheetahs, helped by new births and additional imports from African countries. Today, Project Cheetah is seen not only as an effort to restore a lost species but also as a broader ecological experiment aimed at reviving India’s grassland ecosystems and creating connected wildlife habitats across central India.
