Project Cheetah Status Review and Key Facts About Cheetahs

#GS-3 #Environment #Wildlife #Biodiversity #Project Cheetah #IUCN Red List

Key takeaways

India's total cheetah population under Project Cheetah has reached 52, including 32 cubs born in India, with 49 cheetahs in Kuno National Park and 3 in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is the fastest terrestrial animal, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds, and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
While the African Cheetah population stands at around 7,000, the Asiatic Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952 and now survives exclusively in Iran.

The four-year status review of Project Cheetah by Kuno National Park shows India's cheetah population has reached 52, including 32 cubs born on Indian soil.
The programme has entered its consolidation phase, with 49 cheetahs in Kuno National Park (17 free-ranging) and 3 cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) belongs to the cat family Felidae and is the only surviving species of the genus Acinonyx.
It is recognized as the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3 seconds.

On the IUCN Red List, the cheetah is listed globally as Vulnerable (VU), while the Asiatic subspecies is Critically Endangered (CR).
Under CITES, the species is listed in Appendix I.

Cheetahs prefer open savannahs, dry grasslands, semi-arid scrub forests, and bushlands that provide clear visibility for high-speed chases.
Cheetahs now occupy only about 9% of their historical range, primarily in Southern and Eastern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa), with small populations in Iran and reintroduced groups in India.

The African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) accounts for the vast majority of wild cheetahs, with around 7,000 individuals across sub-Saharan Africa.
The Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) was declared extinct in India in 1952 and is now critically endangered, surviving only in Iran.

Its body is built for speed with a flexible spine, enlarged heart, wide nasal passages, and a long tail that acts like a rudder during sharp turns.
Unlike other cats, its semi-retractable claws act like athletic track spikes and its hard paw pads offer grip on dry ground.
It has a coat covered with solid black spots and distinct black tear marks running from its eyes to its mouth to reduce sunlight glare during daytime hunting.
It hunts mainly during the day using sharp vision, chasing prey in short sprints under 30 to 60 seconds before delivering a throat bite.
Female cheetahs live solitary lives, while male brothers often form lifelong groups called coalitions to defend hunting territory.