Revenue Impact of Wildlife Attractions: A Tale of Penguins and Cheetahs

Aaditya Thackeray, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, questions if the introduction of cheetahs in Kuno Park, Madhya Pradesh, has generated revenue like the introduction of penguins did for the Mumbai zoo. Thackeray suggests analyzing the financial impact of 'Project Cheetah,' a major wildlife translocation project.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned on Sunday if the introduction of cheetahs at Kuno Park in Madhya Pradesh has translated into revenue, citing that penguins in the Mumbai zoo boosted municipal income.

Thackeray urged an examination into how much revenue was generated following the cheetahs' translocation to India, comparing it to the financial success of penguins at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan. Former state minister Thackeray mentioned that the penguin introduction in 2016 significantly contributed to the earnings of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

'Project Cheetah,' the world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project, commenced on September 17, 2022, with eight felines from Namibia released into Kuno National Park. Despite some setbacks, all 25 cheetahs, including cubs, are currently doing well.

(With inputs from agencies.)