KUNO NATIONAL PARK, MADHYA PRADESH – In a significant victory for India’s ambitious wildlife conservation efforts, Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park is celebrating the birth of five healthy cheetah cubs. The proud mother is the South African-born cheetah Gamini, affectionately named Mukhi by local monitoring teams. This landmark event proves that these magnificent cats can thrive and reproduce on Indian soil, boosting the prospects of Project Cheetah.
A Landmark Moment for Project Cheetah
This is the first litter for Gamini, who was translocated from the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in South Africa. Wildlife experts are hailing the birth of a large and healthy litter of five as a clear sign of her successful adaptation to the Kuno environment. These cubs represent a precious second generation of cheetahs born in India, a critical step towards establishing a self-sustaining wild population for the first time in over 70 years.
The Indian-born cheetah cubs are a testament to the project’s long-term vision.
Official Announcement Hails ‘High Fives from Kuno’
The news was shared in an exultant announcement from Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he celebrated the milestone: “High Fives from Kuno! Wonderful news from Kuno National Park as cheetah Gamini has given birth to 5 cubs. This takes the tally of Indian-born cheetah cubs to 13.”
He extended his congratulations to all experts, Kuno wildlife officials, and wildlife enthusiasts involved in this historic conservation programme.
A Resilient Journey: Overcoming Challenges
This joyous occasion provides a much-needed morale boost for Project Cheetah, a programme that has navigated a challenging path. After cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, the reintroduction project began with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022, followed by twelve from South Africa in February 2023.
While the project has faced setbacks, including the unfortunate deaths of several adult cheetahs and cubs, this new birth reaffirms the resilience of the species and the dedication of the teams on the ground. With the arrival of Gamini’s litter, the total cheetah population in Kuno National Park has now risen to 26, comprising 13 adults and 13 cubs.
Protecting the New Generation
For park officials, the focus now shifts to a period of intense and careful vigilance. The first few months are the most critical for the survival of cheetah cubs in the wild, as they are highly vulnerable to predators and environmental factors. The Kuno team will maintain a discreet but constant watch over Mukhi and her five cubs, ensuring they remain safe and undisturbed as she nurses and raises her young.
This birth is more than just a number; it is a powerful symbol of ecological restoration and India’s commitment to biodiversity. As these five tiny cubs take their first steps on Indian earth, they carry the future of their species on their small, spotted shoulders.
