Namibia signs deal to relocate cheetahs to India

India and Namibia have signed a deal that will see cheetahs from the southern African country relocated to India.

The first batch of eight big cats, the world's fastest land animal, is to arrive next month.

They will be settled in a national park in Madhya Pradesh state, which has abundant prey and captive breeding will be introduced.

Reports say 50 cheetahs, some of them from South Africa, will be moved over the next five years.

India's former population of Asiatic cheetahs was declared extinct within the country 70 years ago.

Delhi says the translocation is being conducted within the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.