The government of India has initiated plans to translocate a batch of cheetahs from several African countries, including Kenya, by next year.
According to reports from an Indian media house, The Times of India, the government of India has already initiated talks with the Kenyan government to ensure that 8-10 cheetahs are translocated from Kenya by 2026.
India is currently in negotiations with several African countries to bring in fresh batches of cheetahs to supplement the existing population.
Kenya is among three African countries, including Namibia and Botswana, that are currently collaborating with the Indian government to see the translocation, under 'Project Cheetah'.
The cheetahs will be translocated to either Kuno National Park (KNP) or the Gandhinagar Wildlife Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh, which have previously received batches of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa in the past four years.
Nauredehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) and Banni grasslands (Gujarat) are currently being prepared to receive more cheetahs under the translocation project.
Currently, Indian President Droupadi Murmu is on a state visit to Botswana, where she is expected to sign a formal agreement with the South African Country to give an official green light to the translocation.
According to reports, Botswana is expected to send its first batch of Cheetahs to India either in December 2025 or January 2026.
"The fresh batch of cheetahs from Botswana will either be relocated to KNP or Gandhinagar or to both landscapes," an official from the Indian government told the publication.
India currently has 27 cheetahs, with 24 in Kuno National Park and three in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. This population includes 16 cheetahs born in India, along with the original imported adults.
In 2022, India received the first batch of eight Cheetahs from Namibia, while 12 others arrived from South Africa in 2023. 11 of the 20 animals survived. Since then, 26 cubs have been born in KNP, but only 16 of them survived.
Kenya has an estimated population of 800 to 1,200 adult cheetahs, distributed across different national reserves and conservancies.
