India to get more than 100 Cheetahs from South Africa

South Africa has approved the transfer of over 100 cheetahs to India, as part of a project to reintroduce the species to the nation. An initial group of 12 cheetahs will be flown to India next month, following a similar transfer from Namibia in September. The goal is to establish a secure cheetah population by continuing to relocate 12 cheetahs annually for the next eight to ten years. India's previous cheetah population was declared extinct in 1952 due to habitat loss and hunting. In 2020, the Indian Supreme Court ruled that African cheetahs could be introduced to a carefully chosen location on a trial basis. Negotiations for the South Africa transfer faced long delays, with the cheetahs staying in quarantine.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

  1. South Africa has agreed to transfer over 100 cheetahs to India.
  2. 12 cheetahs will be transported to India each year for the next 8 to 10 years.
  3. The aim is to reintroduce the cheetah population in India, which went extinct by 1952.
  4. The Indian Supreme Court in 2020 approved the introduction of African cheetahs as a trial.
  5. Negotiations for the transfer from South Africa were lengthy, causing the cheetahs to remain in quarantine.

Current Affairs PDF Download