Three cubs were born to South African cheetah Gamini at Kuno National Park, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on February 18. The development marks another important moment for India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.
The birth comes as the country completes three years since the arrival of the first batch of cheetahs from South Africa. Gamini, now a second-time mother, delivered three healthy cubs, taking India’s total cheetah population to 38.
Sharing the news on social media, the minister described it as “another good news from Kuno,” saying the park has entered “a roaring new chapter” with the arrival of the cubs. He noted that this is the ninth successful cheetah litter born in India and that the number of surviving Indian-born cubs has now reached 27.
According to Yadav, each new birth strengthens the foundation of the ambitious conservation effort. He also credited the dedication of forest officials, field staff and veterinary teams who have been closely monitoring and supporting the animals.
The cheetahs were brought to India under Project Cheetah, launched on September 17, 2022. The initiative is the world’s first intercontinental translocation project aimed at reintroducing cheetahs into the wild in India, where the species had been declared extinct in 1952.
Wildlife officials say the steady rise in cub numbers is crucial for establishing a stable, free-ranging population. With successive litters being recorded, the focus is now gradually shifting from relocation to long-term survival and breeding success in the wild.