KUNO NATIONAL PARK, India – India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program has achieved another significant milestone with the birth of five new cubs at Kuno National Park. KJP21, a 32-month-old Indian-born female cheetah, successfully delivered the healthy litter on Sunday, dramatically increasing the country’s growing cheetah population.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, announced the joyous development, hailing it as “Another historic and joyous milestone for Project Cheetah.” He shared the news on X, emphasizing the importance of this new generation born on Indian soil.
India's Cheetah Population Reaches 60
With the arrival of KJP21’s five cubs, India’s total cheetah population has now reached 60. This includes 41 cheetahs that have been born within India since the reintroduction efforts began. KJP21 is the third Indian-born female to give birth, following Mukhi and KGP12, underscoring the success of the conservation initiative.
Botswanan Lineage Introduced
Crucially, these five cubs also mark the introduction of a Botswanan genetic lineage into the Indian population. Their father is a Botswanan male cheetah, enhancing the genetic diversity of the reestablished population, which is vital for long-term health and resilience.
Project Cheetah's Journey
Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952. Project Cheetah was launched in September 2022 with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia. This was followed by 12 more from South Africa in February 2023, and nine from Botswana in February 2026, specifically to broaden the genetic base.
The project has now moved into a successful reproductive phase. Prior to KJP21’s litter, Indian-born female KGP12 gave birth to four cubs in the wild in April 2026, marking the first recorded birth in the wild since the reintroduction commenced and the first from an Indian-born female. These successive births are a testament to the dedication of the veterinarians, field staff, and managers associated with Project Cheetah.
“Another generation born on Indian soil, adding yet another beautiful chapter to the remarkable story of cheetah reintroduction in India,” Minister Yadav stated, welcoming the new arrivals.
The continuous growth in population and the successful integration of new genetic lines signal a promising future for cheetahs in India.