Aasha, the Namibian cheetah at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, has given birth to five cubs, announced Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday, saying this is the eighth successful cheetah litter born on Indian soil.
The news comes as a harbinger of hope for the country’s cheetah conservation project, with the total surviving cubs count now at 24 and the total number of Cheetahs in India at 35.
In a post on X, Yadav said Aasha gave birth to the five cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, marking a moment of “immense pride and joy” and significant milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey.
“Kuno Welcomes the Birth of FIVE Cubs. Aasha’s legacy leaps forward – India welcomes her five adorable cubs! A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha, the Namibian cheetah and a proud second-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on 7th February 2026 at Kuno National Park. With this, the tally of Indian-born surviving cubs rises to 24, marking the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil – a significant milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey, undertaken and nurtured under the environmentally-conscious leadership of PM Narendra Modi...” he wrote.
‘Project Cheetah’ is India’s world-first intercontinental translocation project, which was kick-started on September 17, 2022, with the aim to reintroduce the cheetah in India, after it went extinct in the country in 1952.
Crediting the field staff and veterinarians for their dedicated work in protecting and conserving wildlife, Yadav it was a historic moment for wildlife conservation in India, with the total number of cheetahs now at 35.
“This joyous achievement stands as a shining testimony to the unwavering dedication, skill, and commitment of the field staff and veterinarians working tirelessly on the ground. May Aasha and her cubs thrive, flourish, and sprint India’s cheetah story to even greater success. With their arrival, the total cheetah population in India now stands at 35. A truly historic and heart-warming moment for wildlife conservation in India,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said eight additional cheetahs would arrive in the state from Botswana by the end of February.
The Chief Minister added that he had met Yadav in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss issues related to tourism development, expansion of reserve forests, and wildlife conservation in the state, besides talking about the required cooperation and arrangements for the cheetah reintroduction programme.
“Today, I met with Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav, discussed tourism development, expansion of reserve forests, and wildlife conservation in the state. We are transporting wild buffalo from Assam to Madhya Pradesh and need assistance with the relocation. Additionally, eight cheetahs will also arrive in MP from Botswana on February 28, and we discussed the necessary cooperation and arrangements for the arrival of the big cat,” he said.
The cheetah reintroduction programme suffered a massive setback in the past after 10 cheetahs died at Kuno, as of January, 2024, from factors ranging from infections and territorial fighting to complications from radio collars.
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