Good news comes from Kuno: 3 cubs born to Gamini, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announces
The birth of three cubs in Kuno National Park in MP has brought the total number of cheetahs to 38.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the birth of three cubs to Gamini, a South African cheetah and a second-time mother, in Kuno National Park on Wednesday.
Sharing the news on social media, Yadav wrote, "Three new cubs welcomed in Kuno; a new chapter begins in Kuno, marking three years since the arrival of cheetahs from South Africa."
This is Gamini's second litter of cubs in Kuno. Previously, she gave birth to six cubs in March 2024.
Bhupender Yadav said that with these new cubs, the number of live cubs born to African-origin cheetahs in India has increased to 27, bringing the total number of cheetahs in India to 38.
Earlier this month, on February 7, Asha, a cheetah from Namibia, gave birth to five cubs in Kuno, further increasing the number.
Efforts to reintroduce cheetahs to India have been initiated under Project Cheetah, which aims to revive the species, which was declared extinct in the country in 1952. The project was formally launched in September 2022 with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia, followed by the release of 12 cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023.
To date, a total of 20 cheetahs have been relocated from Africa.
According to the minister, eight more cheetahs are expected to arrive from Botswana in February this year. However, the official date is not yet known. Since the project began, nine adult cheetahs, four from Namibia and five from South Africa, have died, along with ten cubs, highlighting the ecological and adaptation challenges faced in reintroducing this species.