In an exciting development, Mukhi, the first India-born cheetah at Kuno National Park, has recently given birth to five healthy cubs. This milestone marks a significant step in the cheetah reintroduction efforts in India.
Kuno National Park is situated in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, nestled close to the picturesque Vindhyan Hills. Originally established in 1981 as Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, it gained national park status in 2018. The park holds historical importance as a relocation site for Asiatic lions under the "Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project." Spanning an area of 750 square kilometers, the park is named after the Kuno River, which gracefully divides it into two sections.
The park's landscape is a mosaic of plateaus, valleys, and seasonal rivers, creating a rich variety of ecosystems. Within its boundaries, visitors can explore tropical dry deciduous forests, expansive savannah grasslands, and lush riverine forests.
The vegetation in Kuno National Park includes a diverse array of flora, with dominant tree species such as Khair (Acacia catechu), Salai (Boswellia serrata), and Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana). The protected forest area is a sanctuary for a wide range of fauna, including the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox, and dhole. Bird enthusiasts can also delight in sightings of over 120 bird species.
Kuno National Park was chosen as a site for the 'Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India.' This initiative saw the introduction of 20 cheetahs to the park, with eight arriving from Namibia in September 2022, followed by 12 more from South Africa in February 2023. This project is pivotal in reestablishing the cheetah population in India.
To learn more about Kuno National Park, visit this link.
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