Kenya appears to be entering a controversial chapter in its wildlife management as reports indicate plans to send a group of cheetahs to India under a new translocation program.
The development has raised concern among conservationists who argue that the country is risking its ecological integrity for unclear diplomatic interests. According to The Times of India, talks between New Delhi and Nairobi are already underway, with Kenya expected to release between eight and ten cheetahs by 2026 as part of India’s ongoing effort to revive its extinct cheetah population.
The Indian government’s initiative, known as “Project Cheetah,” aims to reintroduce cheetahs that disappeared from the country more than seven decades ago. Previous phases of the project saw cheetahs imported from Namibia and South Africa. However, the program has faced serious challenges, with over half of the relocated animals dying due to heat, lack of prey, and poor adaptation to new environments. Despite these setbacks, India seems determined to expand the program and is now turning to Kenya and Botswana to strengthen the genetic diversity of its cheetah population.
The main concern for many conservationists in Kenya is the secrecy surrounding the agreement. Neither the Kenya Wildlife Service nor the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has provided clear details on the plan.
Critics argue that there has been no public participation or environmental assessment to evaluate the potential consequences of removing cheetahs from Kenya’s ecosystem. Questions are also being asked about what Kenya stands to gain from exporting one of its most iconic species, especially given that the country already struggles to protect its wildlife from poaching, human encroachment, and habitat destruction.
Experts warn that removing cheetahs from the wild could destabilize the delicate balance among predators in Kenya’s major reserves such as Maasai Mara, Tsavo, and Samburu.
These areas already face mounting pressure from climate change and land conflicts. Conservation experts insist that Kenya’s priority should be to safeguard its existing wildlife rather than engage in what they describe as politically driven conservation diplomacy.
One Nairobi-based conservationist was quoted saying that the plan appears more like a publicity move than a genuine ecological effort.
India’s cheetah reintroduction program has also come under international criticism. The high mortality rates among relocated animals have been attributed to extreme heat, poor prey availability, and territorial conflicts. Although India currently has around 27 cheetahs, including a few cubs born locally, the survival rate remains low. Wildlife experts argue that adding more cheetahs without addressing the underlying issues will only repeat the same mistakes.
In Kenya, environmental organizations are calling for full transparency on the agreement with India. They demand to know whether Kenya is receiving compensation, if the animals will come from the wild or breeding centers, and whether the translocation follows international wildlife trade protocols. Many fear that the deal could damage Kenya’s global reputation as a conservation leader.
The country has long been admired for its strong wildlife protection policies, and involvement in a secretive export program could be seen as compromising its ethical standards.
There is growing pressure on the Kenyan government to break its silence and clarify the terms of engagement. The controversy highlights a deeper question about whether conservation decisions in Africa are being influenced by external powers rather than driven by genuine environmental concerns.
Both governments remain tight-lipped, leaving conservationists and the public to speculate on the fate of Kenya’s cheetahs and whether this translocation truly serves ecological restoration or merely satisfies diplomatic ambitions.
