- Cheetahs once thrived across India but vanished due to hunting and habitat loss
- The last three wild cheetahs were killed in 1947 by Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo
- Early reintroduction efforts failed due to political issues and Iran's endangered cheetah population
For a long time, the cheetah was a familiar sight in India, moving easily across the country's open grasslands. It appeared in royal courts, hunting stories and even in our languages, which is how the name "cheetah" came from Sanskrit. But in just a few decades, the animal disappeared because of hunting, loss of habitat and neglect. Its story is not only about extinction, but also about what a country remembers, forgets and tries to fix. Now, with cheetahs returning to Kuno, India is at an important moment, learning from past mistakes while hoping to rebuild what was lost.
How India Lost Its Cheetahs
The cheetah once ranged widely across India, from open forests to dry grasslands, thriving alongside prey such as blackbuck. Historical accounts show that they were used extensively by royalty, particularly during the Mughal era; Emperor Akbar was said to have kept over a thousand cheetahs in his menagerie for coursing hunts. Over time, however, the very relationship that celebrated the animal also contributed to its decline.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, heavy hunting combined with shrinking habitats and prey depletion started a rapid collapse in cheetah numbers. A BBC-cited study referenced in Firstpost notes that between 1799 and 1968, only around 230 cheetahs remained in the wild in India. The increasing conversion of grasslands into farmland further decimated the ecosystem that cheetahs depended on.
Also Read: Italian Tourist Visits Indian Zoo, Jokes He Was The "Exotic Animal" Locals Came To See
The King Who Shot India's Last Cheetahs
India's last documented cheetahs - three adult males - met a tragic end in 1947. They were shot at night by Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Koriya (in present-day Chhattisgarh). A widely circulated photograph from the time shows the king posing with the slain animals, a haunting image that would later symbolise the country's irreversible loss.
His private secretary submitted the image to the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society in January 1948, marking the last confirmed record of the Asiatic cheetah in India. Only five years later, in 1952, the Government of India officially declared the cheetah extinct.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Early Efforts To Bring The Cheetah Back
India's desire to bring back the cheetah is not new. Discussions on reintroduction began as early as the 1950s. There were negotiations with Iran in the 1970s to exchange Asiatic lions for Asiatic cheetahs, but political upheavals and emergencies ended the talks. A later attempt in 2009 also failed, as Iran refused to part with its critically endangered population.
By this time, the Iranian population itself was dwindling so sharply that sourcing cheetahs for translocation became nearly impossible. Conservationists then proposed introducing the Southeast African cheetah, which is genetically similar and available in healthier numbers. Legal challenges stalled the project until the Supreme Court permitted an experimental reintroduction in 2020.
The Return Of The Cheetah: Kuno And Project Cheetah
On 17 September 2022, history was rewritten. Eight African cheetahs - five females and three males - arrived from Namibia in the world's first intercontinental carnivore translocation. They were released into quarantine enclosures in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, selected for its favourable grassland-forest mosaic and prey availability.
This marked the beginning of Project Cheetah, India's ambitious plan to restore the species to its former ecological niche. Over subsequent months, more cheetahs from South Africa joined the population as part of the government's long-term plan to build a founder group of around 50 individuals.
Also Read: 6 Places In Japan Every Animal Lover Should Visit
Successes, Challenges And The Road Ahead
The reintroduction has had successes, including natural mating and the birth of cubs. But the path has been far from smooth. Multiple cheetahs have died from territorial conflicts, stress, or other causes, raising questions about the suitability of Kuno's carrying capacity and the preparedness of the landscape.
As India watches the cheetah run again, it becomes clear that even a small step towards restoration can open the door to a better future for our wildlife.
