Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh (Sep 17): On the historic third anniversary of Project Cheetah, a milestone event unfolded in Madhya Pradesh. Dheera, a seven-year-old female cheetah from South Africa, was successfully relocated from Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur. The occasion also coincided with the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had launched Project Cheetah three years ago by releasing the first batch of cheetahs from Namibia into Indian soil.
This relocation marks another step forward in India’s ambitious attempt to restore the world’s fastest land animal, declared extinct in the country more than seven decades ago.
A New Home for Dheera
#WATCH | Mandsaur, MP | Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary received its first female cheetah, a 7.5-year-old 'Dheera', from Kuno National Park, which was released there earlier today. pic.twitter.com/a8SPzwmuSP
— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2025
Dheera’s relocation was carried out with meticulous planning. She was transported over a distance of around 350 kilometers in a specially designed air-conditioned vehicle, a journey that lasted more than seven hours. Upon her arrival at Gandhi Sagar, Dheera was carefully released into a 64-square-kilometer enclosure, where she took a brief pause to observe her surroundings before dashing into her new home with characteristic feline grace.
According to Divisional Forest Officer S. K. Atode, Dheera will initially be kept in a separate section of the sanctuary. This is to ensure a smooth transition before she eventually interacts with the two male cheetahs, Prabhash and Pavak, who were shifted to Gandhi Sagar nearly five months ago.
Strengthening Project Cheetah
Dheera’s journey is not just about relocating a single animal—it represents the growing strength of Project Cheetah. The initiative is a global first, being the world’s only intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project.
The female cheetah is one of 12 individuals brought from South Africa in February 2023. Before that, eight cheetahs arrived from Namibia in September 2022, which marked the beginning of this ambitious conservation mission. Currently, India is home to 27 cheetahs, including 16 cubs born within Indian sanctuaries since the project began. Of these, 24 reside at Kuno National Park, while the rest are distributed across relocation sites like Gandhi Sagar.
However, the project has also faced challenges. Nine cheetahs imported from abroad have died, while 10 India-born cubs did not survive. Despite these setbacks, Project Cheetah director Uttam Sharma expressed optimism:
“The project remains committed to bolstering the population of this iconic species, which was declared extinct in India in 1952.”
Why Project Cheetah Matters for India
The cheetah is not just another wild cat—it carries deep symbolic and ecological importance for India. Once widespread across the Indian subcontinent, the species was declared extinct in 1952, largely due to excessive hunting and habitat loss. Historical records note that the last three Indian cheetahs were shot in 1947 by Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Korea, Madhya Pradesh.
By bringing cheetahs back, India is not only reviving a lost predator but also restoring ecological balance. Cheetahs are apex predators that help regulate prey populations, thus maintaining healthier grassland ecosystems.
The success of this project would also mark India as a leader in global wildlife conservation, showing that species once extinct within national borders can return through scientific planning, international collaboration, and political will.
PM Modi and the Symbolism of the Relocation
The relocation of Dheera carries a symbolic significance. It took place on September 17, which marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, and also the third anniversary of Project Cheetah.
It was on this very date in 2022 when PM Modi released the first batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia into the Kuno National Park. That moment was celebrated worldwide as a historic comeback of the cheetah in India after 70 years of extinction.
By ensuring the continuity of this project, the government hopes to create a sustainable and genetically diverse cheetah population across multiple sanctuaries in India, reducing the risks of inbreeding and disease outbreaks.
Challenges Facing the Project
While the relocation of Dheera is a success story, experts acknowledge that Project Cheetah faces hurdles. These include:
- Habitat Limitations: Kuno National Park, the first release site, is relatively small for sustaining a large cheetah population. Expanding to places like Gandhi Sagar is essential for long-term survival.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Risks: As cheetahs adapt, managing their interaction with local communities will be crucial. Education and awareness campaigns are ongoing to ensure coexistence.
- Mortality Rates: The deaths of both imported and India-born cheetahs highlight the risks of stress, disease, and adaptation issues in a new environment.
- Climate and Prey Base: Unlike Africa, India’s climate and prey base differ, requiring continuous monitoring to ensure the cheetahs adapt well.
Despite these challenges, conservationists believe that the gains outweigh the setbacks, especially with new cubs being born and successfully raised in Indian sanctuaries.
Also read: Madras Crocodile Bank Trust: India’s Premier Reptile Conservation Centre timings
Looking Ahead: The Vision of Project Cheetah
Project Cheetah is not just about reintroducing an extinct species—it is about building a self-sustaining cheetah population in India. The long-term goal is to establish multiple free-ranging populations across different landscapes, ensuring genetic diversity and survival.
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, with its vast enclosure and secure environment, is a crucial step in this direction. If Dheera and her male counterparts adapt well, it may set a precedent for relocating more cheetahs from Kuno and even welcoming fresh imports in the future.
The project also aims to create opportunities for eco-tourism and community development, making local populations partners in conservation. A thriving cheetah population could boost wildlife tourism, generate revenue, and provide livelihoods while ensuring that conservation remains sustainable.
Also read: MP’s Cheetahs to Hunt Chital, Chinkara, and Nilgai in 1300 Sq Km at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
Conclusion
The relocation of Dheera to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is more than a simple wildlife transfer—it is a symbol of India’s determination to revive its ecological heritage. From extinction in 1952 to a hopeful comeback in 2022 and beyond, the cheetah’s story reflects resilience, science, and human willpower.
As India celebrates both Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday and the third anniversary of Project Cheetah, the sight of Dheera sprinting across her new home in Mandsaur offers hope that this ambitious dream may yet become a lasting reality.
With each successful relocation and every cub born in India, the country moves one step closer to restoring the balance of its ecosystems and reclaiming a piece of its wild past.
