The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has stated that the recent movement of cheetahs from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh to Baran district in Rajasthan reflects natural territorial behaviour and should be seen as part of the species’ normal ecological patterns.

The clarification came on Sunday, March 8, 2026, following media reports that two cheetahs from the Kuno National Park had been tracked in areas of Rajasthan after travelling significant distances from their original habitat.

The cheetahs, identified as KP2 and KP3, were detected in the Mangrol forest range of Baran district and the Banjh Amli Conservation Reserve.

Officials said the animals had travelled approximately 60 to 70 kilometres from Kuno National Park, highlighting the natural dispersal patterns of the species.

NTCA Confirms Natural Behaviour

According to the NTCA, which operates under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, such movement is normal for cheetahs in the wild.

Large carnivores often expand their range or explore new areas while searching for territory, prey, and suitable habitat.

The authority emphasised that cheetahs are wide-ranging animals, capable of travelling long distances across landscapes.

Officials said that the movement of KP2 and KP3 from Kuno National Park into neighbouring regions does not indicate any problem with the habitat but rather demonstrates healthy ecological behaviour.

Location of the Cheetahs

Forest officials tracking the animals reported that both cheetahs are currently located near the Parvati River, which flows through parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The two animals are positioned about six kilometres apart, each on different banks of the river.

One cheetah has been tracked in the Mangrol forest range, while the other has been spotted in the Banjh Amli Conservation Reserve.

Authorities are closely monitoring the movements using radio collars fitted on the animals.

These collars allow wildlife experts to track their location in real time and monitor their behaviour and health.

First Generation of Cheetahs Born in India

The two animals involved in the movement, KP2 and KP3, are particularly significant because they belong to the first generation of cheetah cubs born in India under Project Cheetah.

Project Cheetah is a major wildlife conservation initiative launched by the Indian government to reintroduce cheetahs into the country after the species became extinct in India in 1952.

The current population in Kuno National Park traces its origin to African cheetahs that were translocated to India in 2022.

Since then, several cubs have been born in India, marking an important milestone for the programme.

Project Cheetah: India’s Historic Wildlife Initiative

Project Cheetah is one of India’s most ambitious wildlife conservation programmes.

The project aims to:

• Reintroduce cheetahs into suitable habitats

• Restore ecological balance

• Promote wildlife tourism and conservation awareness

The initiative began with the translocation of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The programme is designed to gradually establish a self-sustaining population of cheetahs in India.

The birth of cubs such as KP2 and KP3 represents a significant success for the conservation effort.

Why Cheetahs Travel Long Distances

Wildlife experts explain that cheetahs are naturally mobile predators.

Unlike some other large carnivores, cheetahs often roam across large territories in search of:

• Prey

• Suitable hunting grounds

• New territory

• Potential mates

Young cheetahs, in particular, tend to disperse from their birth areas as they mature, a process that helps avoid competition with other animals.

The movement of KP2 and KP3 may therefore represent early dispersal behaviour, which is common among young predators.

Monitoring by Wildlife Authorities

Authorities from the NTCA, state forest departments, and wildlife experts are closely monitoring the situation.

The presence of radio collars allows experts to track the animals’ movements and ensure their safety.

Officials are also coordinating with local forest teams in Rajasthan to ensure that the cheetahs are protected and that local communities are informed about their presence.

Wildlife teams typically follow strict guidelines when monitoring large carnivores to minimise human-animal conflict.

Role of Kuno National Park

Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was selected as the primary site for the reintroduction of cheetahs in India.

The park provides suitable habitat conditions, including:

• Open grasslands

• Adequate prey base

• Low human disturbance

Since the arrival of the African cheetahs in 2022, the park has become the central hub of Project Cheetah.

The birth of cubs in Kuno has been widely regarded as a major milestone in the project’s progress.

Wildlife Corridors and Landscape Connectivity

The movement of cheetahs beyond the boundaries of Kuno National Park also highlights the importance of wildlife corridors and landscape connectivity.

Animals often move between different protected areas or forest ranges, especially when suitable habitat exists across state boundaries.

Conservation experts have long emphasised the need to maintain connected landscapes that allow wildlife to move naturally.

Such connectivity is important for:

• Maintaining genetic diversity

• Preventing overcrowding in protected areas

• Supporting long-term species survival

Local Monitoring in Rajasthan

With the cheetahs now present in parts of Baran district in Rajasthan, local forest authorities have intensified monitoring efforts.

Officials are keeping track of the animals’ movements while ensuring that villagers and local communities are informed about safety measures.

So far, there have been no reports of conflict between humans and the animals.

Wildlife authorities have also advised residents to avoid approaching or disturbing the cheetahs if they are sighted.

Conservation Significance

The movement of cheetahs from Kuno into neighbouring regions is seen by many conservationists as a positive sign of ecological adaptation.

It suggests that the animals are exploring and adapting to the broader landscape, which could eventually support a larger population.

Such behaviour also indicates that the animals are healthy and capable of surviving in natural conditions.

However, experts emphasise that continued monitoring and habitat management will be essential for the long-term success of Project Cheetah.

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