Bengaluru, 18 April

Cheetahs have returned to Karnataka after nearly seven decades, with four animals, two males and two females, brought from South Africa as part of ongoing conservation efforts.

The cheetahs arrived at Kempegowda International Airport around midnight on Friday and were received by Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre, who went directly to the cargo terminal after arriving in the city. The animals were sourced from the Induna Primate and Parrot Park and transported under strict supervision by veterinary experts and forest officials.

They have been moved to Bannerghatta Biological Park, where they will remain in quarantine for 30 days in accordance with protocol. During this period, they will be closely monitored, undergo regular health checks, and be provided a prescribed diet to prevent stress and screen for infections. Officials have been directed to prioritise their safety at every stage.

Visitors are expected to view the cheetahs in designated enclosures after they clear post-import health checks, likely by late May 2026.

Cheetahs, locally known as “Sivangi”, once roamed Karnataka’s forests but were declared extinct in India in 1952.

The translocation forms part of Project Cheetah, launched in 2022, which began with the introduction of African cheetahs from Namibia to Kuno.

Unlike the wild reintroduction at Kuno National Park, this is an ex-situ conservation initiative aimed at research and public awareness.

India’s cheetah population now stands at 57 following recent births.