One of the cheetahs that was brought from Namibia and released in the wild of Kuno National Park in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh last month, was seen in Jhar Baroda village in Vijaypur, 20 kms away from the national park.
According to the District Forest Officer (DFO), “Cheetah Oban, one of the cheetahs brought from Namibia, entered Jhar Baroda village, of Vijaypur, which is 20 kms away from Kuno National Park. A monitoring team has also reached the village. Efforts are underway to bring the cheetah back.”
Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh | Cheetah Oban, one of the cheetahs brought from Namibia, entered Jhar Baroda village of Vijaypur which is 20 kms away from Kuno National Park. Monitoring team has also reached the village. Efforts are underway to bring the cheetah back: DFO
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PCCF Wildlife Jasveer Singh Chauhan while talking to India Today said that it is true that Namibian cheetah Oban has crossed the boundary line of Kuno National Park and reached Jhar Baroda village in Vijaypur area.
“We are keeping an eye on every movement of the cheetah. There is nothing to worry as our teams are close to the cheetah. It will be taken to the open forest of the park,” said Chauhan.
Two cheetahs, Oban and Aasha, were successfully released in the wild of Kuno National Park, Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh on March 11.
70 years after its extinction from India, the cheetahs are back on Indian soil. A total of 20 cheetahs arrived in India in two batches – the first batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia came in September 2022 and 12 more from South Africa came in February.
India was home to Asiatic cheetahs in the past, but the species was declared extinct domestically by 1952.