India welcomes 12 cheetahs from South Africa

STORY: They will join eight cheetahs from neighboring Namibia that were released into the national park in central India last year.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh state, Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the cheetahs into the park as he lifted the gate of the container carrying the big cats.

"I am very happy to inform you that all the cheetahs are completely healthy and very active," said Kuno National Park Chief of Health Parameters of and Arrangements for Cheetahs, S.P. Yadav.

The cheetahs, 7 males and 5 females, are the first of dozens that South Africa has promised India over the next decade.