Research Article: Joshi, Y. C., Klarmann, S. E., & de Waal, L. C. (2025). Delineating the environmental justice implications of an experimental cheetah introduction project in India. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 6, 1511815.

Blog Author: Aishwarya Anilkumar

Key highlights

  • Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce African cheetahs into Kuno National Park, India, reviving a population after the extinction of the Asiatic subspecies.
  • Researchers from the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Blood Lions Non-Profit Company, and the University of Johannesburg have critically analyzed the ecological and ethical implications of the project. 
  • Conservationists criticize the project for its ecological criteria and lack of scientific evidence, raising welfare concerns over high mortality rates among relocated cheetahs.
  • The project has social justice implications, with local communities fearing human-wildlife conflicts and highlighting a lack of consultation in the decision-making process.
  • Methodological flaws in site selection and impact assessments have been identified, particularly regarding insufficient social surveys and the needs of surrounding communities.
  • Advocating for a holistic conservation approach, the authors stress that local community engagement and ethical considerations are essential for the success of wildlife restoration initiatives. 

Project Cheetah has embarked on a significant endeavor to reintroduce African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) into Kuno National Park (KNP), India. This project aims to establish a sustainable population of this species after the Asiatic subspecies’ extinction in the 1950s. Although this initiative has seen the relocation of 20 cheetahs from Southern Africa, it has not been without controversy. Critics from India and abroad, have raised substantial concerns regarding the project’s ecological viability, ethical implications, and socio-economic impacts on local communities. 

Researchers from the Department of Conservation Science at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Blood Lions Non-Profit Company, and the University of Johannesburg assessed various ecological and ethical implications of the ongoing Project Cheetah in Kuno National Park, India. They examined how the introduction of African cheetahs, relocated from Namibia and South Africa, impacts both animal welfare and local community dynamics in the region.

This study discusses the welfare of the cheetahs introduced through Project Cheetah which has emerged as a significant concern. Despite the noble intentions, the project has witnessed high mortality among the relocated animals, prompting ethical scrutiny around their treatment and overall well-being. Additionally, the risks associated with intercontinental species translocation warrants rigorous examination, especially, under circumstances marked by potential human-wildlife conflict. Despite local communities having a long history of cohabiting with wildlife in these landscapes, they now, express fears of disruptions to their daily lives, raising critical questions about the project’s social justice implications and its effectiveness in fostering harmonious coexistence between wildlife and human populations. 

To ensure that Project Cheetah aligns with principles of environmental justice, the research suggests the need to incorporate the perspectives and insights of local communities in its strategic planning and execution. Engaging with indigenous knowledge systems can provide valuable insights into the ecological and cultural contexts of KNP, allowing for a more holistic approach to conservation. Responsible relocation efforts must encompass the re-establishment of cheetah populations and the acknowledgment of local stakeholders as integral partners in conservation efforts. 

The paper highlights the need for reconciling ethical and social dimensions of conservation, through community engagement, thereby contributing to equitable and successful restoration initiatives. By prioritizing ethical considerations and community engagement, the project can pave the way for a successful and just wildlife restoration initiative that respects human and animal welfare, ultimately creating a more sustainable future and a win-win outcome for both the cheetahs and the communities surrounding Kuno National Park.

You can access the original article here.