WINDHOEK: A specially customised B747 jumbo jet has arrived in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, to bring eight cheetahs from South Africa to India. This is the first time cheetahs will be reintroduced in India since the wild cats faced extinction in 1952.

It was the Indian High Commission in Namibia which announced the arrival of the flight in Namibia. 'A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger,' the High Commission of India in Windhoek tweeted.

A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger.#AmritMahotsav #IndiaNamibia pic.twitter.com/vmV0ffBncO

— India In Namibia (@IndiainNamibia) September 14, 2022

The flight has been painted with the image of a tiger. The aircraft is an ultra-long range jet capable of flying for up to 16 hours and so can fly directly from Namibia to India without a stop to refuel. Five female cheetahs and three male cheetahs will be brought to India. They will be kept in special cages in the main cabin of the aircraft. Veterinary services will be available.