New Delhi: While the nation eagerly awaits the arrival of cheetahs from Namibia coinciding with PM Narendra Modi’s birthday, it will mark a new chapter in the rehabilitation of the wild cats, that became extinct in India almost 70 years ago. The Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
The Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is all decked up to welcome the 8 Namibian cheetahs that will arrive tomorrow, as part of deal signed earlier this year. PM Modi will release cheetahs in the Kuno National Park tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the first look of Cheetahs arriving from African nation has come to light. The 1-minute long video shared by ANI shows two cheetahs resting under a tree.
#WATCH | First look of Cheetahs that will be brought from Namibia to India on 17th September at KUNO National Park, in Madhya Pradesh pic.twitter.com/HOjexYWtE6
— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2022
Out of 8 cheetahs that are being ferried to India include 5 females & 3 males. The female big cats are aged between 2-5 years while the male one are between 4.5 to 5.5 years.
Change in itinerary, cargo to land in Gwalior
For bringing the wild cats, a special tiger-faced cargo flight has been customized and equipped with all the medical amenities for its safe transport. The flight is already in Nambia and will fly to Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior tomorrow.
Earlier, the special cargo flight was about to land in Jaipur, from where it was about to be transported to Madhya Pradesh for releasing them into the wild. As per new plan, the cargo plane will reach Gwarlior and from there, the big cats will be transported to Kuno National Park via helicopter.
All set to get majestic #Cheetahs from the country. This is the special flight of Boeing 747 which is pressed into service. Note the front of the plane. Its painted with Tiger’s face.#Cheetahs @moefcc@IndiainNamibia@PriyaKumar2012@tapasjournalist pic.twitter.com/OVcZBBeSVZ
— DD News (@DDNewslive) September 15, 2022
Tiger-faced lion carrying cheetahs
Yesterday, the Indian High Commission in Namibia released the picture of tiger faced jumbo aircraft that will ferry the cheetahs. The special cargo flight Boeing 747 will fly non-stop and bring Cheetahs without any stoppage on the route. The cheetahs will be accompanied by veterinary doctors and wildlife experts, Cheetah experts and 3 Indian scientists.
A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger.#AmritMahotsav #IndiaNamibia pic.twitter.com/vmV0ffBncO
— India In Namibia (@IndiainNamibia) September 14, 2022