India’s Modi Celebrates His Birthday With Eight Cheetahs

Prime minister Narendra Modi himself opened the gate to release the new arrivals into their quarantined pen. 

“Cheetahs have returned to India after decades. There is new energy in India’s wildlife lovers,” the prime minister said. “I am sure that these cheetahs will teach us about our values.”

The big cats – extinct in India since the 1950s – arrived from Namibia on Modi's birthday (September 17). The eight cats, five females and three males between two and six years old, will chill in quarantine for a month before being released in Kuno National Park in central India. At least 12 more cheetahs from Namibia will join them soon.

The cats will have 289 square miles to roam and hunt, with prey like antelope and wild boars for the taking. Each cheetah, fitted with a satellite radio collar (stylishly patterned with cheetah-like spots), will have its own dedicated team of volunteers to monitor the animal's movements.

India’s indigenous cheetah population was wiped out from hunting, habitat loss, and lack of food. The country had been trying to reestablish a population ever since without success.

Good luck and happy returns of the day.

Photo credit: Glavo / pixabay