INDIA’S ambitious cheetah reintroduction project achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday as the total population reached 38 following the birth of three new cubs at Kuno National Park. The South African female cheetah, ‘Gamini’, gave birth to the litter on a notable occasion, marking exactly three years since the first batch of South African cheetahs arrived. This development follows closely on the heels of another successful birth just a week ago. On February 7, the Namibian cheetah ‘Asha’ had delivered a litter of five cubs, which had initially raised the national tally to 35.

 

With addition of Gamini’s three newborns on Wednesday, total count has climbed to 38. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav expressed his satisfaction with the progress, stating that Madhya Pradesh is becoming a powerful hub for the restoration of the species. He noted that out of the 38 cheetahs now in the country, 27 are cubs born on Indian soil, which he described as historic achievement for wildlife conservation and environmental balance. The birth of Gamini’s litter is the ninth successful procreation recorded under Project Cheetah. Officials highlighted that the consecutive births of eight cubs in such a short span indicate that the animals are successfully adapting to the Indian habitat. “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 has brought 3 new cubs into the world,” Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on X.