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GS3 · Conservation

Nine cheetahs from Botswana reach Kuno

1 min readBiodiversityConservation Laws & Bodies
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Nine cheetahs from Botswana reach Kuno (GS3 · Conservation, 28 February 2026)

What happened

  • Nine cheetahs from Botswana (6 females, 3 males) were released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on 28 February 2026 [PIB].
  • Before this batch, India had 48 cheetahs, including 28 born in India [PIB].

Background

  • Botswana is the third source country after Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023).

Why it matters

  • More founders widen the gene pool. That matters more than headline numbers.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

  1. As per PIB (2026-02-28): nine cheetahs from Botswana (6 females, 3 males) were released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on 28 February 2026.
  2. More founders widen the gene pool. That matters more than headline numbers.
Quotable data point

Before this batch, India had 48 cheetahs, including 28 born in India.

PIB: MoEFCC: Cheetahs from Botswana, 28 Feb 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: Project Cheetah source countries.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

New cheetahs came from

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Number received

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

India-born cubs before arrival

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerCITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, Appendices I-III, How It Works in India and Issues (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerWestern Ghats: Extent, Formation, Rivers, Biodiversity Hotspot, Gadgil and Kasturirangan Reports and Conservation Issues (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: MoEFCC: Cheetahs from Botswana, 28 Feb 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending