Sat Feb 07 16:00:48 UTC 2026: # Cheetah Population in India Reaches 35 with New Cub Births at Kuno National Park
The Story:
In a significant boost to India’s cheetah reintroduction program, five new cheetah cubs have been born to Aasha, a Namibian cheetah, at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP) on February 7, 2026. This birth brings the total cheetah population in India to 35, comprising 24 cubs born in India and 11 adults translocated from African nations. The news was announced by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, highlighting the success of Project Cheetah.
Key Points:
- Five new cheetah cubs born to Namibian cheetah Aasha at Kuno National Park (KNP).
- India’s total cheetah population now stands at 35.
- This is the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil.
- Project Cheetah was initiated on September 17, 2022, with the release of cheetahs from Namibia.
- 21 cheetahs (9 translocated adults and 12 Indian-born cubs) have died at Kuno since the project’s inception.
- Three adult cheetahs reside in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Key Takeaways:
- The birth of five new cubs is a positive development for Project Cheetah, signaling potential success in establishing a viable cheetah population in India.
- Despite the births, the high mortality rate of cheetahs at Kuno remains a concern. Addressing the causes of these deaths is crucial for the long-term success of the program.
- The involvement of both state and union governments emphasizes the importance of this conservation project.
- The presence of cheetahs in multiple locations (Kuno and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary) indicates a strategic approach to distributing the population.
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