India to get cheetahs from Botswana for Project Cheetah
India just formally struck a deal with Botswana during President Droupadi Murmu's first-ever visit there.
The plan? Move eight African cheetahs from Botswana to India as part of Project Cheetah—an effort to bring these speedy cats back after they disappeared from India in 1952.
Where are the Botswana cheetahs right now?
Right now, the cheetahs are chilling in quarantine at a reserve near Gaborone, Botswana.
They'll have an official send-off on November 13, then head to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh for another 2-3 months of quarantine before being released into the wild.
What's the goal of Project Cheetah?
Project Cheetah is the world's first intercontinental big cat move.
By bringing in new cheetahs from different countries—including this latest group from Botswana—India hopes to boost their numbers, keep the gene pool healthy, and help restore balance to its grasslands.
It's a real-life comeback story for one of nature's fastest animals.