Indian-born cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, population reaches 60

An Indianborn female cheetah has given birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradeshrsquos Kuno National Park taking Indiarsquos cheetah population to 60 including 41 born in the country Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on MondayThe 32monthold cheetah identified as KJP21 gave birth to the cubs on October 5 marking another milestone for Project CheetahYadav who is also the Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change announced the development in a post on X describing it as a ldquohistoric and joyous milestonerdquo for Project CheetahAnother historic and joyous milestone for Project Cheetah KJP21 a 32monthold Indianborn female cheetah has given birth to five healthy cubs in Kuno National Park today KJP21 is the third Indianborn female cheetah to give birth after Mukhi and KGP12mdashan important milestone in the emergence of the next generation of Indiarsquos cheetah population With the arrival of these five cubs the cheetah population in India has reached 60 including 41 Indianborn cheetahs Importantly these cubs also mark the beginning of the Botswanan lineage in India as their father is a Botswanan male cheetahmdashadding a new genetic lineage to Indiarsquos growing cheetah population Another generation born on Indian soil adding yet another beautiful chapter to the remarkable story of cheetah reintroduction in India Heartfelt congratulations to the veterinarians field staff managers and everyone associated with Project Cheetah whose dedication commitment and tireless efforts have made these moments possible Welcome to the world little ones WildlifeWeek2026mdash Bhupender Yadav byadavbjp October 5 2026KJP21 is the third Indianborn female cheetah to give birth following Mukhi and KGP12 according to Yadav The birth marks another step in the establishment of a new generation of cheetahs born on Indian soilFive cubs add Botswanan lineage to Indiarsquos cheetah populationThe five cubs also mark the beginning of the Botswanan lineage in India as their father is a male cheetah from Botswana Yadav saidThe development adds a new genetic lineage to Indiarsquos growing cheetah population with the latest births taking the total number of cheetahs in the country to 60Yadav congratulated the veterinarians field staff managers and others associated with Project Cheetah crediting their efforts for the latest developmentMohan Yadav congratulates Project Cheetah teamMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also welcomed the birth of the five cubsIn a post on X Yadav said the birth of the healthy cubs was a ldquoproud momentrdquo for Project Cheetah and Kuno National ParkHe said the development had taken Indiarsquos cheetah population to 60 including 41 Indianborn cheetahs and described it as a significant milestone in the countryrsquos efforts to restore its cheetah population and strengthen wildlife conservationThe latest births add to Project Cheetahrsquos efforts to establish a sustainable cheetah population in India following the speciesrsquo reintroduction into the countryIndias cheetah populationIndiarsquos cheetah population in September stood at 52 Of these 49 were in Kuno National Park and three in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife SanctuaryLast month the population included 32 cheetahs born in India Three of the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia in 2022 are alive along with 22 of their Indiaborn offspring taking the surviving Namibianorigin group to 25Of the 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa in 2023 eight are alive with 10 Indiaborn cubs taking the surviving South Africanorigin group to 18 Nine cheetahs were also brought from Botswana in February 2026 further strengthening the programmersquos genetic baseAt Kuno 17 cheetahs are in open forest 10 males and seven females while 32 remain in softrelease enclosures including five males eight females and 19 cubs under one year old