How Much does a Cheetah Cost Per Day in Kuno National Park: Amidst President Murmu’s visit to Kuno, know how much a cheetah costs per day to feed in Kuno National Park.
Draupadi Murmu Kuno Visit: As soon as President Draupadi Murmu reached Kuno National Park, Kuno National Park located in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh and the leopards there have once again come into the limelight. Here the President received detailed information about Project Cheetah wearing the special cap and jacket of Cheetah Safari. Whenever the name of Kuno National Park comes up, the discussion focuses on the number of leopards, the new cubs or their activities. But do you know how much is spent on the care of these cheetahs rehabilitated in India (Cheetah Cost Per Day). The data recently revealed in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly has given a new dimension to this discussion. According to government information, more than Rs 1.27 crore was spent in the financial year 2024-25 on the purchase of goat meat alone for the leopards in Kuno. This data is important because it allows the general public to understand the real costs of wildlife conservation.
Daily expenditure of Rs 49 thousand, but the story does not end here
According to the information given in the Assembly, on an average, more than Rs 49 thousand were spent every day for the food of the leopards present in Kuno. This amount is related to the purchase of goat meat only. Interestingly, the Forest Department has clarified that there is no fixed standard for the amount of meat to be given to leopards daily. The amount of food is decided based on the age, health, activity and medical needs of the animal.
How much does a leopard cost?
If the expenses mentioned in the Assembly and the figures of 49 leopards present in Kuno at that time are considered as the basis, then on an average the cost of feeding one leopard is around Rs 1,090 per day. However this is only an approximate average. The actual expense may be more or less depending on the needs of the individual cheetah. Apart from this, leopards roaming in open areas in the forest sometimes also hunt naturally, due to which the nature of food system changes.
Not only food, monitoring is also a big challenge
Cheetah conservation in Kuno is not limited to just providing food. Tracking teams, veterinarians, radio collar monitoring, rescue staff, patrolling teams and special management systems work continuously for them. That means the real cost of protecting a cheetah is much more than just its food. The cost of food is just one part of the larger conservation network that is trying to make Project Cheetah a success on the ground.
Why is this investment important?
Cheetah was officially declared extinct in India in 1952. It made a comeback after seven decades through Project Cheetah. In such a situation, it is not just a wildlife project but is being considered as the biggest restoration campaign in the country’s conservation history. The amount being spent in Kuno should not be seen as just a figure, but as an effort through which India is trying to bring back its lost biodiversity. On an average, about Rs 1,000 is spent per day on food for one leopard in Kuno. But the real expenditure is much larger than this amount. The spend is part of an ambitious conservation campaign that is seeking to ensure the permanent and safe return of cheetahs to India.