Bengaluru
-Madhuri Adnal
Four cheetahs from South Africa reached India in the early hours of 18 April 2026 and were taken to Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru under an Animal Exchange Programme. Authorities said the animals will stay in a special quarantine area for 30 days before moving to display enclosures for visitors.
Officials confirmed that the new group of cheetahs includes two males and two females, all sourced from Induna Primate and Parrot Park in South Africa. The consignment landed at Kempegowda International Airport at 1:15 am, where Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre received the animals at the cargo terminal.
On April 18, 2026, four cheetahs from South Africa arrived in Bengaluru at Bannerghatta Biological Park under an Animal Exchange Programme, beginning a 30-day quarantine to support species conservation and genetic diversity.
Arrival of cheetahs under Animal Exchange Programme
The Forest, Ecology and Environment Department stated that the cheetahs came to Karnataka under an Animal Exchange Programme cleared under the Wildlife Protection Act. Before import, the Animal Quarantine Services issued a No Objection Certificate, confirming that paperwork and health conditions met the rules set by the Department of Animal Husbandry.
Officials in South Africa had already placed the cheetahs in quarantine and carried out all required medical checks before shipment, in line with Department of Animal Husbandry guidelines. After reaching Bannerghatta Biological Park, staff moved the animals into a separate quarantine facility, where veterinary teams will monitor behaviour, stress levels and feeding patterns.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Species | Cheetahs |
| Number | 4 |
| Sex ratio | 2 males, 2 females |
| Source facility | Induna Primate and Parrot Park, South Africa |
| Arrival airport | Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru |
| Arrival time | 1:15 am, 18 April 2026 |
| Quarantine period in Bengaluru | 30 days |
Care of cheetahs and Animal Exchange Programme goals
Minister Eshwar Khandre instructed officials to follow every protocol while handling the cheetahs and demanded strict quarantine measures. Khandre also asked experts and veterinary doctors to provide the correct diet and constant observation for 30 days, so that the animals adjust safely to Indian weather and local conditions before joining the main park area.
Bannerghatta Biological Park authorities said the Animal Exchange Programme is expected to support conservation by strengthening genetic diversity within the captive cheetah population. Park managers added that the presence of cheetahs should raise visitor awareness, offer more material for scientific research and help explain how wildlife laws like the Wildlife Protection Act shape zoo management.
After the latest arrivals, Minister Khandre pointed out that cheetahs, locally known as Shivang, once lived freely in Karnataka forests but have now vanished from the wild in the state. Khandre stressed the need to build public understanding of cheetahs through zoological institutions and directed Dr. Sunil Panwar, Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), to ensure the safety and overall well-being of the animals at every stage.
Officials said that once the 30-day quarantine at Bannerghatta Biological Park is complete, the cheetahs will shift to regular enclosures designed for public viewing. Authorities believe the arrivals from Induna Primate and Parrot Park, backed by clearances from Animal Quarantine Services and the Department of Animal Husbandry, mark another step in organised ex-situ conservation efforts for the species in India.
