Five cubs born at Kuno, India’s cheetah population crosses 50

Five cheetah cubs were born at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on March 9, marking another milestone in India’s ambitious Project Cheetah as the country’s cheetah population rose to 53.According to information, the cubs were born to Jwala, a Namibian cheetah and a successful third-time mother under the programme. Officials said the birth took place inside the protected habitat of the park under close monitoring by veterinary teams and field staff.With the arrival of the new litter, the number of Indian-born cheetah cubs has risen to 33, making it the tenth successful litter recorded on Indian soil since the cheetah translocation initiative began.
The birth of the five cubs has pushed the total cheetah population in India to 53, taking the reintroduction effort past the half-century mark for the first time.Union Environment and Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav described the development as a major milestone for the programme in a post on X.“Kuno welcomes five new cubs — a new milestone as cheetah numbers cross fifty. A moment of great pride for Project Cheetah as Jwala, the Namibian cheetah and a successful third-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on March 9 at Kuno National Park,” he said.Yadav added that with the birth, the number of Indian-born thriving cubs has risen to 33, marking the tenth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil and reflecting the dedication and commitment of veterinarians, field staff and others working on the ground.
Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, also shared the development on X, calling it “good news from Kuno National Park”.“Cheetah Jwala has given birth to five cubs, marking another major milestone for Project Cheetah. With this, India’s cheetah population has crossed the half-century mark, reaching 53,” he said, describing it as a proud moment for wildlife conservation and a testament to the success of the country’s cheetah reintroduction efforts.
Launched to restore the cheetah population in India after the species became extinct in the wild decades ago, Project Cheetah aims to establish a sustainable population of the big cat in suitable habitats such as Kuno National Park.

(Asstt.Editor)