Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, India
Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Madhya Pradesh covering 748 square kilometers across Sheopur and Morena districts. The Kuno River runs through the reserve, which contains forests and grasslands that provide habitat for a wide range of animal species.
The area became a protected wildlife refuge in 1981 to safeguard the endangered fauna of the region. It gained National Park status in 2018, which expanded the core protected zone to 413 square kilometers.
Sahariya communities once lived across this territory, leaving their villages between 1998 and 2003 to make way for conservation efforts. The relocation of 24 settlements with 1,650 residents reshaped the human presence in the region and transformed how the land is now used and protected.
The reserve is open to visitors throughout the year, with the best wildlife viewing typically in early morning and late afternoon hours. Guided tours allow guests to explore designated viewing zones safely and observe animals in their natural surroundings.
In September 2022, biologists brought eight cheetahs from Namibia to the reserve, marking the first time a large carnivore has been moved between continents for reintroduction. The animals are part of efforts to restore a species that disappeared from India in the 1950s.
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