Bhopal: A female cheetah named Gamini has given birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, taking India’s total cheetah population to 38, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Wednesday.
Calling it a “roaring” success for the government’s ambitious Project Cheetah, the minister said the development marks another milestone in India’s historic conservation effort to reintroduce the world’s fastest land animal, which had gone extinct in the country decades ago.
Gamini was translocated to India from South Africa as part of the reintroduction programme launched in September 2022. In a post on X, Yadav said the birth coincides with the completion of three years since the arrival of cheetahs from South Africa at Kuno.
“This joyful arrival marks the ninth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil and takes the number of surviving Indian-born cubs to 27,” the minister stated. He added that each new birth strengthens the foundation of Project Cheetah and reflects the dedication of field staff and veterinary teams overseeing the initiative.
“With these newest additions, India’s total cheetah population has now reached 38 — a powerful symbol of our determined and historic conservation effort,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also welcomed the development, describing the state as a key centre for cheetah reintroduction. He termed the births a historic achievement in wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection and environmental balance.
Earlier this month, another translocated cheetah, Aasha — brought to India from Namibia — gave birth to five cubs at Kuno, further boosting the country’s growing cheetah population.
