NewKerala.com

Kuno Cheetah Population Hits 38 as Gamini Welcomes Three New Cubs

The cheetah population at Kuno National Park has increased to 38 with the birth of three new cubs to South African female Gamini. This marks the ninth successful cheetah birth since Project Cheetah's launch in 2022, with 27 cubs now born on Indian soil. The development was celebrated by state and union ministers as a historic achievement for wildlife conservation. The park is preparing to receive a third batch of cheetahs from Botswana later this month, further strengthening the reintroduction program.

Key Points: Kuno Cheetah Count Rises to 38 with New Cubs

  • 9th successful cheetah birth in India
  • Total population now 38
  • 27 Indian-born cubs
  • Third batch from Botswana due Feb 28
  • Project Cheetah a global conservation model
2 min read

Kuno National Park welcomes three more cheetah cubs boosting population to 38

South African cheetah Gamini gives birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, marking the 9th successful birth under Project Cheetah.

"A moment of pride for Kuno, and for India - Bhupender Yadav"

Bhopal, Feb 18

The cheetah population at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district has received a fresh boost, with South African female cheetah Gamini giving birth to three cubs on Wednesday.

The new litter marks the ninth successful cheetah birth on Indian soil since the launch of Project Cheetah on September 17, 2022. With the latest additions, India's total cheetah population has risen to 38, including 27 Indian-born cubs.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav shared the news on social media, calling Madhya Pradesh a "powerful hub for cheetah reintroduction."

"It is a matter of great joy that Gamini, a female cheetah imported from South Africa under Project Cheetah, has given birth to three cubs. This is the ninth successful birth since the cheetahs arrived in Kuno National Park," he wrote on X.

Describing the development as historic, the Chief Minister said the achievement strengthens India's efforts towards wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, and ecological balance.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav called the birth of cheetahs a powerful symbol of India's determined conservation mission.

"A moment of pride for Kuno, and for India -- may Gamini and her three little sprinters grow strong and carry the nation's cheetah revival story forward with speed and grace," he wrote on X.

He added that each successful birth reinforces the foundation of Project Cheetah and reflects the round-the-clock dedication of field staff and veterinary teams working at KNP.

Gamini was translocated from South Africa as part of the ambitious reintroduction programme aimed at restoring the population of the world's fastest land animal in India. Earlier this month, Aasha, a cheetah brought from Namibia, gave birth to five cubs at Kuno Park.

The latest development comes just weeks before a third batch of eight cheetahs from Botswana is scheduled to arrive in Madhya Pradesh on February 28, further strengthening the country's cheetah conservation initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated the project Cheetah to the nation a few years ago. It continues to draw global attention as a bold experiment in ecological restoration. With each new birth, Kuno National Park solidifies its role as a beacon of hope for the world's fastest land animal, blending scientific rigor with national pride in reviving a lost legacy of India's wilderness.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Fantastic! 38 cheetahs and counting. Project Cheetah is turning out to be one of India's most successful wildlife stories. The dedication of the field staff is truly commendable. Can't wait to visit Kuno one day and hopefully catch a glimpse!
R
Rohit P
While this is good news, I hope the focus remains on long-term viability. We need to ensure the park's ecosystem can sustain this growing population and that there's enough prey base. Also, the costs involved should be transparent. Conservation is important, but so is fiscal responsibility.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows global conservation efforts, this is impressive. Reintroducing a top predator is incredibly complex. India is setting a strong example. Wishing strength to Gamini and her three little ones!
V
Vikram M
Bahut badhiya! 🐆 From extinction to 38 in just a few years. This is a matter of national pride. It shows what we can achieve with political will and scientific expertise. Madhya Pradesh truly is becoming the cheetah capital of India.
K
Kavya N
So many cubs being born on Indian soil is the real success metric. 27 Indian-born cubs! It means they are adapting and thriving. This news has made my day. More power to the team and the cheetahs!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50