Indian-born cheetah at Kuno gives birth to 4 cubs in the wild; a historic moment, says Bhupender Yadav
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday hailed a historic milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey, as a daughter of Gamini, aged 25 months, gave birth to four cubs in the wild at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
This marks the first recorded birth of its kind since the commencement of cheetah reintroduction efforts in 2022, in which a native, second-generation cheetah—born in the forests of India—has successfully given birth to a cub.
In a social media post, Yadav described the development as a “milestone moment” for Kuno National Park and the country’s wildlife conservation efforts. He noted that the Indian-born female cheetah, that had been in the wild for over a year, has successfully given birth to four cubs under natural conditions, marking a major step forward in the cheetah reintroduction programme.\
First recorded birth in the wild
The Union Minister highlighted that this is the first recorded birth in the wild since the cheetah reintroduction began in 2022, and significantly, the first such instance involving an Indian-born female cheetah. He emphasized that the development represents a major achievement in achieving the core objectives of the project—ensuring survival and breeding of cheetahs under natural conditions in India.
Bhupender Yadav stated that the achievement reflects the growing adaptation of cheetahs to Indian ecological conditions and demonstrates the success of sustained conservation and scientific management efforts at Kuno National Park.
The Union Minister also appreciated the dedication and tireless efforts of wildlife managers, veterinarians, and field staff involved in the cheetah conservation programme. He termed the development a proud moment for the nation and extended his heartiest congratulations to all those associated with the project.