As three cheetah cubs were born to South African female Gamini at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India’s total cheetah population has now reached 38. This marks the ninth successful litter at Kuno since the launch of Project Cheetah in September 2022.

For a species that disappeared from India more than 70 years ago, every new cub represents not just growth in numbers, but a symbol of ecological revival.

Why This Birth Is Significant

Wildlife officials have described the development as a “roaring success” of India’s conservation effort. Behind the scenes, field staff and veterinary teams at Kuno have been working tirelessly monitoring animals round the clock, managing habitats, and ensuring health checks.

Key Significance:

• Regular births indicate that habitat conditions and prey availability are stabilising.
• Gamini is now a second-time mother, showing that adult females are adapting well to Indian conditions.
• Repeated successful reproduction is essential for creating a self-sustaining population, reducing long-term dependence on translocations from Africa.

Earlier this month, another female cheetah, Aasha (translocated from Namibia), gave birth to five cubs, further strengthening Kuno’s role as the nucleus of India’s cheetah revival.

The focus now remains on closely monitoring mothers and cubs during the vulnerable early weeks, when survival risks are highest. Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a “powerful centre” of cheetah restoration in India.

Project Cheetah

Project Cheetah is India’s flagship wildlife restoration programme aimed at reintroducing cheetahs- declared extinct in India in 1952.

It is historically significant because:

• India became the first country in the world to attempt the reintroduction of an extinct large carnivore through intercontinental translocation.

The project is implemented under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with support from national and international wildlife experts.

Historical Background

Cheetahs once roamed widely across India’s grasslands and open forests. However:

• Excessive hunting during the colonial era
• Habitat destruction
• Decline in prey base

led to their extinction by the mid-20th century.

Key milestones:

• 1952: Cheetah declared extinct in India
• 1970s: Early reintroduction discussions (did not materialise)
• September 2022: First batch of African cheetahs brought from Namibia to Kuno
• 2023: Second batch translocated from South Africa

Objectives of Project Cheetah

The project aims to:

• Reintroduce cheetahs after a gap of 70+ years
• Establish a viable, free-ranging population
• Restore grassland and savanna ecosystems
• Strengthen biodiversity by reintroducing a top predator
• Promote eco-tourism and local livelihoods
• Demonstrate India’s leadership in wildlife conservation

About Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

The cheetah is the fastest land animal, capable of speeds up to 100–120 km/h over short distances.

Key Features:

• Slender body, long legs, lightweight frame
• Hunts by speed and sight, not ambush
• Active mainly during the day (diurnal predator)
• Preys on medium-sized herbivores like antelopes and deer

Cheetah in India

• Declared extinct in India in 1952
• Last recorded in Chhattisgarh (Koriya district region)

Reproduction:

• Gestation period: 90–95 days
• Litter size: 3–5 cubs
• Cub survival depends on habitat safety and prey availability

Behaviour:

• Females are solitary except while raising cubs
• Males often form coalitions (usually brothers)
• Cannot roar like lions — instead communicate through chirps and purrs

About Kuno National Park

Location:

• Northern Madhya Pradesh
• Near MP–Rajasthan border
• Within the Vindhyan landscape

Area:

• Approximately 748 sq km

River:

• Kuno River (tributary of Chambal) flows through the park

Ecosystem:

• Savanna grasslands
• Open woodlands
• Dry deciduous forests

This habitat is ideal for cursorial predators (animals that hunt by running).

Flora:

• Khair
• Kardhai
• Salai
• Palash
• Tendu

Fauna:

• Herbivores: Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Wild Boar
• Carnivores: Leopard, Indian Wolf, Hyena, Jackal
• Rich bird and reptile diversity

Kuno has a well-developed prey base, making it suitable for long-term cheetah conservation.

Challenges Facing Project Cheetah

Despite progress, several concerns remain:

• Ensuring adequate prey across landscapes
• Competition with leopards
• Initial mortalities due to adaptation stress
• Habitat fragmentation
• Scientific debate over long-term sustainability

Long-term success will depend on expanding suitable habitats and maintaining ecological balance.

Bigger Picture

The steady rise in cheetah numbers reflects:

• Improving habitat management
• Strengthening veterinary care
• Effective monitoring systems
• India’s commitment to ecological restoration

Each successful birth moves India closer to building a self-sustaining cheetah population, not just reviving a species, but restoring an entire grassland ecosystem that had long been neglected.