Sheopur: Kuno National Park is about to welcome new guests, as female cheetah Veera is likely to give birth this week.
Currently housed in a large enclosure, Veera is under constant medical supervision to ensure a safe delivery.
Kuno National Park, a crucial hub for India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Project, has already witnessed several cheetah births.
Female cheetahs Nirva, Jwala, Asha, and Gamini have successfully given birth, contributing to the park’s rising cheetah population. Currently, the park hosts 12 adult cheetahs and 12 cubs, with two males—Vayu and Agni—roaming freely in the open jungle, while the rest remain in enclosures.
Mixed Fortunes in Cheetah Breeding
While the birth of cheetah cubs has been a milestone in India’s ambitious conservation efforts, challenges persist. In November 2024, Nirva gave birth, but unfortunately, her two cubs were later found dead under distressing circumstances.
Jwala has given birth to eight cubs so far, but three did not survive. Asha successfully delivered three cubs, while Gamini gave birth to six, two of whom have succumbed.
A Historic Conservation Effort
The arrival of cheetahs in Kuno National Park has been a historic step in reviving India’s lost cheetah population, a species declared extinct in the country since 1952. In 2022, the ambitious project saw the relocation of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa, marking the first intercontinental translocation of its kind.
With Veera now preparing to welcome new cubs, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists remain hopeful that India’s efforts in cheetah conservation will yield greater success, ensuring a thriving future for the species in the subcontinent.
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