Into the wild: Cheetahs Agni and Vayu can roam free after year in protective enclosures

The two had been moved inside after three adult cheetahs died from sepsis. The release took place in the Palpur East area, located across the Kuno River.

Written by Anand Mohan J

Bhopal | Updated: December 5, 2024 09:15 AM IST

3 min read

The two cheetahs, Agni and Vayu, were released in the Palpur East area, located across the Kuno River.

After spending over a year inside protective enclosures, two cheetahs — Agni and Vayu — were released into the open forest area of Kuno National Park on the occasion of International Cheetah Day Wednesday.

The release took place in the Palpur East area, located across the Kuno River. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav noted that this “step not only strengthens the state’s wildlife population but also gives a boost to tourism in the region.”

The cheetahs were brought to the enclosures on August 13, 2023 after three adult cheetahs “died due to septicaemia after wounds beneath their dense winter coat on the back and neck regions became infested with maggots” in July. It was a major setback to the translocation project that began in September 2022.

In August, the Cheetah Project Steering Committee — a panel of experts that monitors and advises the government on the reintroduction of cheetahs — had decided to release the cheetahs into the wild. The committee had stated that the cheetahs would be released in a phased manner, starting with coalitions (a group that lives together), then individual cheetahs and at last, mothers with their cubs.

“The team ensured that all logistical and security measures were in place to facilitate the smooth transition of the Cheetah coalition. They will be monitored by a team constantly,” a wildlife officer said.

There are currently a total of 24 Cheetahs, including 12 cubs, at Kuno.

After the male coalitions are released, wildlife officials will “study their behaviour before the others are set into the wild”, said an official. The wildlife officials would anxiously wait for the results in the coming days as there are also challenges in the form of co-predators, such as leopards who stalk the landscape and the prey base of the chitals. Experts have previously flagged concerns about the cheetahs losing out on much needed experience to tackle wild conditions after spending a year in captivity.

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However, wildlife officials are confident that they would survive in the wild after the cheetahs managed to “successfully hunt chitals” during their time inside the enclosure. To fight the septicemia infection, which broke out last year, the veterinarians have already carried out prophylactic vaccination of the cheetahs.

They have now begun preparing for preventive vaccinations for other diseases that may afflict the animals.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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