Two African cheetahs currently kept in large enclosures at Kuno National Park are expected to be released into the wild within the next two weeks, according to officials.

The Union Environment Ministry is also in talks with Kenya and South Africa to bring in a third group of African cheetahs, Deccan Herald reported.

At the same time, the ministry is considering sites in Sikkim for the first-ever release of snow leopards bred in captivity at the Darjeeling Zoo.

Additionally, the ministry has completed the first census of the Gangetic dolphin, though the findings are yet to be released.

"We currently have 24 cheetahs in enclosures, and by the end of October, they will be released into the wild. Vayu and Agni, two South African cheetahs, will be the first to be freed,” an official said, quoted the newspaper.

Since their high-profile release into a quarantine zone at Kuno National Park by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cheetahs have spent the last two years primarily in enclosures, raising concerns among conservationists.

The last free-roaming cheetah, Pawan, died in August.

In preparation for the release, the ministry has organized a training workshop for forest officials from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, equipping them to monitor the cheetahs in case they stray beyond Kuno’s boundaries, which span over 6,000 square kilometres.

Efforts are also underway to ready the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to host the next batch of cheetahs. An Indian delegation is set to visit Kenya in the coming weeks to finalize the process.