Kuno cheetahs KP-2, KP-3 now hunting nilgai in Rajasthan
KP-2 and KP-3, two cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, have made their way into Rajasthan's Baran district.
They have been observed in separate parts of Baran: KP-3 in the Banjh Amli Conservation Reserve and KP-2 in the Mangrol/Kishanganj/Anta/Ramgarh areas of Baran and are now hunting nilgai in their new home.
KP-2 arrived around mid-February 2026, while KP-3 showed up near Holi in March.
Forest teams are tracking the cheetahs closely
Forest teams from both states are tracking the cheetahs closely but keeping a respectful distance to avoid stress.
Interestingly, these cheetahs are India-born — their ancestry traces to African cheetahs translocated from countries such as Namibia — and seem pretty comfortable in Rajasthan's dry landscape.
Experts say places like Desert National Park could be perfect for them because of its wide-open plains and plenty of prey.
What is Project Cheetah?
Project Cheetah is India's big effort to bring cheetahs back to India after they went locally extinct nearly 70 years ago; the program reintroduced Southeast African cheetahs.
Since launching in 2022, Kuno has a growing cheetah population, with dozens of cubs born so far — a hopeful sign for wildlife fans and anyone rooting for a comeback story.