Kuno: India-Born Cubs Mark a New Chapter, Eight Cheetahs to Arrive from Botswana on 28 Feb, Target is Self-Sustaining Population by 2032, Says CM Mohan Yadav
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Marking three successful years, ‘Project Cheetah’, India’s historic initiative to reintroduce the cheetah after its extinction in the country, has achieved significant milestones. Launched in September 2022, the conservation journey has steadily advanced toward lasting success.
Cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa have adapted well to Indian conditions. The birth of second-generation cubs in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary demonstrates the realization of Prime Minister Modi’s vision. The sight of cheetahs sprinting across Indian sanctuaries has become an inspiring example for biodiversity conservation.
Historic Beginning to Strong Establishment
On 17 September 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia into protected enclosures at Kuno National Park, formally launching the reintroduction project. On 18 February 2023, 12 more cheetahs from South Africa were introduced into Kuno.
Growing Cheetah Population in India
Out of the 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa, eight are now fully settled in Kuno and are healthy and well-adapted to the habitat. Three have been successfully translocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Ten cubs born to South African mothers are currently alive and healthy.
First India-born adult female cheetah has given birth to five cubs
The first India-born adult female cheetah, Mukhi, has given birth to five cubs. This marks a significant milestone, indicating that the project has progressed beyond its initial phase and entered a stable stage of establishment and sustained breeding.
Female cheetah Gamini has become a mother for the second time. From her first litter, three healthy sub-adult cubs are thriving, and she has recently delivered three more cubs. Veera is roaming in the open forest with her 13-month-old cub, while Nirva is in a protected enclosure with her three 10-month-old cubs.
Of the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia, three are currently settled in Kuno and are healthy. Twelve cubs born to Namibian mothers are also alive. Between 2023 and 2026, a total of 39 cubs were born in Kuno, of which 27 are currently alive and healthy.
Expansion from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar
Alongside Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary has been developed as the second home for cheetahs, with three South African cheetahs successfully relocated there.
Project Cheetah has also strengthened public participation in wildlife conservation. More than 450 ‘Cheetah Mitras’ have been trained to support the initiative, and hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities have been created, providing a new impetus to forest-based livelihoods and strengthening community participation.
Target: Self-Sustaining Population by 2032
Despite some cheetah deaths due to natural and adaptation-related challenges during the initial three years, the surviving animals have successfully adapted to the Indian climate, prey species, and ecological conditions. This underscores that the project is steadily advancing toward long-term sustainability and success.
CM Moahan Yadav said the government aims to establish a self-sustaining population of 60–70 cheetahs across approximately 17,000 square kilometers by 2032. For this purpose, a conservation breeding center will also be set up in the Banni grasslands of Gujarat.
The successful reintroduction of cheetahs within just three years stands as a powerful example of India’s commitment to wildlife conservation. The survival of breeding females, the healthy growth of second-generation cubs, and the expansion into new habitats indicate that the cheetah is once again becoming an integral part of India’s forest ecosystem.
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