Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park has finalised plans to bring four cheetahs from South Africa, marking the first time the species will be exhibited at the zoo on the outskirts of Odisha capital.
Zoo authorities have selected Induna Primate and Parrot Park in North West Province, South Africa, as the source for two male and two female cheetahs. The implementing agency was chosen through a competitive tendering process in line with government procedures. Following necessary approvals, the agency has been formally tasked with procuring and transporting the animals.
Nandankanan Zoo Deputy Director Abhay Dalei confirmed that the cheetahs are expected to be flown to Bhubaneswar by the private agency handling the project. “Documentation and statutory formalities for the international transfer are currently underway,” Dalei told TOI, adding that the acquisition fully complies with wildlife protection laws and regulatory guidelines.
Notably, cheetahs have not been sighted in the wild in Odisha for over six decades. While African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) thrive in parts of southern and northern Africa and are housed in several Indian zoos, their arrival at Nandankanan will introduce the species to the state’s premier zoological facility.
Officials are confident the animals will adapt well to the new environment, with tailored facilities being prepared to meet their needs. A dedicated African savannah-themed enclosure is under advanced construction, spanning 2,329 square metres overall, with the main exhibit area covering about 1,852.5 square metres. The naturalistic habitat is designed to mimic the cheetahs’ native African savannah, providing ample space for running, climbing, and natural behaviours.
Once the cheetahs arrive following quarantine and acclimatization protocols, Nandankanan is poised to join a select group of Indian zoos showcasing the species in a modern, welfare-focused setting.
In April 2026, four cheetahs from the same South African park to Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta Biological Park.
