South Africa has signed an agreement with India to introduce dozens of African cheetahs to the Asian country over the next decade, the department of environmental affairs said on Thursday after the first were transferred last year from Namibia.
A big cat species similar to the cheetah disappeared from India about 70 years ago.
In September, eight radio-collared African cheetahs were released at Kuno National Park in central India after a 8,000km journey from Namibia, the first time wild cheetahs have been moved across continents to be released.
South Africa signs deal with India to relocate dozens of cheetahs
Image: Nadine Dreyer
South Africa has signed an agreement with India to introduce dozens of African cheetahs to the Asian country over the next decade, the department of environmental affairs said on Thursday after the first were transferred last year from Namibia.
A big cat species similar to the cheetah disappeared from India about 70 years ago.
In September, eight radio-collared African cheetahs were released at Kuno National Park in central India after a 8,000km journey from Namibia, the first time wild cheetahs have been moved across continents to be released.
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“An initial batch of 12 cheetah are scheduled to be flown from South Africa to India in February 2023,” the department said.
The big cats will join those introduced from Namibia.
“The plan is to translocate a further 12 annually for the next eight to 10 years,” it added.
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