Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Wednesday that three cheetah cubs have been born at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, taking India’s total cheetah population to 38.
The cubs were born to Gamini, a cheetah translocated from South Africa under the Centre’s flagship Project Cheetah, which aims to reintroduce the world’s fastest land animal to India decades after it became extinct in the country.
Marking three years since the arrival of cheetahs from South Africa, Yadav described the development as a milestone in India’s wildlife conservation efforts.
“Kuno welcomes three new cubs, A roaring new chapter at Kuno on the occasion of the completion of 3 years of arrival of cheetahs from South Africa. Celebrations echo through Kuno National Park as Gamini, the South African cheetah and second-time mother, has brought 3 new cubs into the world,” the minister said.
“A moment of pride for Kuno, and for India, may Gamini and her three little sprinters grow strong and carry the nation's cheetah revival story forward with speed and grace,” he added.
Also read: Namibian cheetah in Kuno gives birth to five cubs
According to the minister, the birth marks the ninth successful cheetah litter in India. With the latest additions, the number of surviving Indian-born cubs has risen to 27.
“With these newest additions, India’s total cheetah population has now reached 38, a powerful symbol of the country’s determined and historic conservation effort,” Yadav said.
He said each birth strengthens the foundation of Project Cheetah and reflects the “passion, perseverance, and round-the-clock dedication” of field staff and veterinary teams overseeing the programme.
The world’s first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore was completed in 2022–23, when 20 cheetahs were brought to India from Namibia and South Africa as part of the reintroduction effort.
Wildlife authorities consider continued breeding at Kuno crucial to building a stable and self-sustaining cheetah population in India.
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