Ahmedabad: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to shift three cheetahs from Botswana, currently housed at Kuno National Park, to the Banni grasslands in Kutch as part of its cheetah conservation initiative. Additionally, a second group comprising four cheetahs from Kenya is expected to arrive later this year.

As per a TOI report, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jaipal Singh said the three cheetahs, including two females and one male, have already completed quarantine procedures at Kuno and are set to be relocated to Kutch. He said the animals are likely to arrive before the monsoon or shortly after the season ends.

According to senior officials, the NTCA and project authorities have decided to introduce a mix of cheetah lineages at Banni, with the habitat expected to host animals from both Botswana and Kenya.

The move will make Gujarat the country’s second cheetah habitat after Kuno in Madhya Pradesh. DeshGujarat