Botswana Hands Over Eight Cheetahs to India for Project Cheetah

Botswana handed over eight cheetahs to India on Thursday to mark the next phase of Project Cheetah, a milestone in wildlife conservation and bilateral cooperation. The handover occurred at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, where President Droupadi Murmu of India and Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko witnessed the symbolic release of cheetahs—captured from the Ghanzi region—into a quarantine facility as part of the transition plan. The eight cheetahs comprise a mix of adults and sub-adults, signaling a careful and staged integration into India’s program.

During the visit, Murmu addressed the Indian diaspora in Gaborone, praising their contributions to Botswana’s development and urging them to stay engaged with India’s growth story. The statement accompanying the event highlighted the deepening trust, respect, and shared democratic values that underpin the India-Botswana partnership. Murmu also encouraged diaspora members to explore initiatives such as the OCI scheme and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, while reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration across trade, education, health, digital technologies, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Officials from both countries noted that the handover is more than a symbolic gesture; it marks a practical step toward restoring and expanding the cheetah population in India. The cheetahs are expected to join other members at Kuno National Park, with the broader goal of increasing India’s cheetah count as part of Project Cheetah. The dialogue between the two nations emphasized shared responsibilities in wildlife stewardship, regional biodiversity goals, and mutually beneficial cooperation that extends beyond conservation to areas such as technology transfer and sustainable development.

Cover image source: Symbolic handover of 8 cheetahs to Droupadi Murmu at Botswana’s nature reserve 🔗

#CheetahConservation, #ProjectCheetah, #IndiaBotswana