Two two-and-a-half-year-old female cheetahs from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh have crossed into the forest area of Rajasthan. Identified as OKAD-1 and OKAD-2, the pair has reached the Rajpur-Behta forest range within the Shahabad region of Baran district. With the cheetahs constantly shifting their location, monitoring teams from both Kuno National Park and the Rajasthan Forest Department have been put on high alert to track their movements around the clock and ensure their safety.
Arrival from Botswana and Journey to Rajasthan
The two female cheetahs are part of the batch of nine cheetahs brought to India from Botswana in February 2026. Following their arrival in India, they were accommodated inside Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh as part of the ongoing cheetah reintroduction effort. After spending time in Kuno, both young cheetahs expanded their range and journeyed into the neighboring state of Rajasthan. Forest officials confirmed that the two-and-a-half-year-old cheetahs are currently roaming through the dense vegetation of Rajpur-Behta in the Shahabad sector.
Second Crossing Following Female Cheetah Veera
The entry of cheetahs into the Shahabad forest belt is becoming a regular occurrence. Just four days prior to this development, another female cheetah named Veera had traversed the same forest area before eventually returning to Madhya Pradesh. The arrival of OKAD-1 and OKAD-2 shortly after Veera's return has prompted forest authorities to step up vigilance across the border region. DFO Vivekanand Bade is personally monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from field officers. Dedicated teams of forest personnel have been deployed inside the jungle to track the big cats' precise location and handle any unexpected situations promptly.
Shahabad Forests Proving Favorable Habitat for Cheetahs
Wildlife experts and forestry officials consider the recurring movement of cheetahs toward Shahabad to be a significant ecological development. The frequent movement suggests that the terrain, vegetation, and natural ecosystem of the Shahabad forest range provide a suitable habitat for the cheetahs. Experts point out that the landscape offers conditions well suited for their natural movement, indicating that the region could serve as an extended habitat or wildlife corridor between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Safety Guidelines and Community Advisory for Local Residents
In light of the big cats roaming near habituated zones, the forest department has issued a safety advisory for residents living in villages surrounding the Shahabad forest range. Authorities have urged villagers to maintain a safe distance from the cheetahs and refrain from gathering in crowds out of curiosity. Residents who spot the animals are strictly advised against approaching, chasing, or attempting to record them. Instead, they should immediately contact local forest officials. The department emphasized that its dual priority is safeguarding the cheetahs while preventing any conflict with local communities.
