Indian-born Cheetah gives birth to 5 Healthy Cubs at Kuno; Important Milestone in emergence of Next Generation of India’s Cheetah population: Bhupender Yadav
In another historic milestone for Project Cheetah, KJP21, a 32-month-old Indian-born female cheetah, has given birth to five healthy cubs at Kuno National Park today, taking the total cheetah population in India to 60, including 41 Indian-born cheetahs.
Sharing the development in a post on social.media platform ‘X’, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said that KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12. He said the development marks an important milestone in the emergence of the next generation of India’s cheetah population.
Yadav said the birth of the five cubs also marks the beginning of the Botswana lineage in India, as their father is a Botswanan male cheetah. He said this adds a new genetic lineage to India’s growing cheetah population.
The Union Minister described the development as another generation of cheetahs born on Indian soil, adding a new chapter to the story of cheetah reintroduction in India.
Yadav conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the veterinarians, field staff, managers and everyone associated with Project Cheetah, whose dedication, commitment and tireless efforts have made the development possible.
CM Mohan Yadav greets staff
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav congratulated the forest officials, veterinarians, field staff, management teams and all those associated with Project Cheetah on the achievement. He said that their dedication, commitment and tireless efforts have continued to advance India's cheetah reintroduction programme. The birth of cubs has renewed hope for cheetah conservation in Kuno.
Botswana Lineage Established in India
The birth of KJP-21's five cubs also marks an important genetic milestone. Their father is a male cheetah brought from Botswana. The birth of cubs marks the first successful breeding of the Botswana lineage in India, adding new genetic diversity to the country’s growing cheetah population.