Project Cheetah: First Batch of Cubs Born in Kuno National Park
In a major success for Project Cheetah, the first batch of cheetah cubs has been born in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- First cheetah cubs born in India in over 70 years at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
- The mother cheetah was translocated from Namibia as part of Project Cheetah.
- Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce the cheetah, declared extinct in India in 1952, into its former habitat.
- Kuno National Park was selected as the flagship site due to its suitable habitat and prey base.
- A total of 20 cheetahs were initially translocated from Namibia and South Africa.
- The birth of these cubs marks a significant milestone and a sign of successful adaptation.
- Conservation efforts involve intensive monitoring, veterinary care, and habitat management.
- This event boosts India's biodiversity conservation efforts and international standing in wildlife restoration.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 12–20 | Environment and Ecology is a separate section in UPSC Prelims. GS-III includes environment, climate change, and disaster management. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | National parks, Ramsar sites, pollution levels, and climate summits appear in SSC GK. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–8 | State PCS papers test both central environment policy and state-specific conservation achievements. |
Key Facts to Remember: Project Cheetah: First Batch of Cubs Born in Kuno National Park
- First cheetah cubs born in India in over 70 years at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
- The mother cheetah was translocated from Namibia as part of Project Cheetah.
- Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce the cheetah, declared extinct in India in 1952, into its former habitat.
- Kuno National Park was selected as the flagship site due to its suitable habitat and prey base.
- A total of 20 cheetahs were initially translocated from Namibia and South Africa.
- The birth of these cubs marks a significant milestone and a sign of successful adaptation.
- Conservation efforts involve intensive monitoring, veterinary care, and habitat management.
- This event boosts India's biodiversity conservation efforts and international standing in wildlife restoration.
Practice Questions
Q1. In which national park were the first cheetah cubs successfully born as part of Project Cheetah?
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Kuno National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park
- Periyar National Park
Explanation: Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the designated site for Project Cheetah and has successfully witnessed the birth of the first cheetah cubs in India after their extinction.
Q2. From which country was the mother cheetah, who gave birth to the first cubs, translocated?
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Kenya
Explanation: The mother cheetah, who successfully gave birth to the first litter of cubs, was originally translocated from Namibia as part of the ambitious Project Cheetah.
Q3. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in which year?
- 1947
- 1952
- 1965
- 1971
Explanation: The cheetah was officially declared extinct in India in the year 1952, primarily due to hunting and habitat loss, prompting the need for reintroduction efforts.
Q4. Which of the following countries, besides Namibia, was a source for translocating cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah?
- Tanzania
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
Explanation: In addition to Namibia, South Africa was another key country from which cheetahs were translocated to India as part of Project Cheetah, significantly increasing the population in Kuno National Park.
Q5. What is the primary objective of Project Cheetah?
- To establish a cheetah sanctuary for tourism
- To breed cheetahs for sale to zoos worldwide
- To reintroduce the cheetah into its historical Indian habitat
- To study the impact of climate change on big cats
Explanation: The core objective of Project Cheetah is the reintroduction of the cheetah, a species that had gone extinct in India, back into its natural habitat to restore ecological balance and biodiversity.
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