Why in the News
Two cheetahs brought from Botswana were released into the wild at Kuno National Park (MP) after completing quarantine and acclimatisation. With this, India’s total cheetah population has increased to 57, including cubs born in India.
About Project Cheetah
- Project Cheetah is India’s ambitious wildlife conservation programme aimed at:
- Reintroducing cheetahs into Indian ecosystems
- Restoring ecological balance
- Establishing a viable cheetah population in the wild
- It is the world’s first intercontinental large carnivore translocation project.
Launch of the Project
- The project was launched in September 2022 by Narendra Modi at Kuno National Park
Background
- Extinction in India: The Asiatic cheetah became extinct in India in 1952
- Main reasons: Hunting, Habitat loss, and Decline in prey base
- India declared the cheetah extinct officially in 1952.
Source Countries of Cheetahs
- Namibia: 8 cheetahs brought in September 2022
- South Africa: 12 cheetahs brought in 2023
- Botswana: 9 cheetahs brought in 2026
| [2024] Consider the following statements: 1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season. 2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar. 3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking. Which of the statements given above are correct? [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1,2 and 3 |
