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Aasha the Cheetah Gives Birth to Five Cubs, India's Cheetah Count Hits 35

Namibian cheetah Aasha has given birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, raising the count of Indian-born surviving cubs to 24. This marks the eighth successful cheetah litter in India since the species' reintroduction. The birth increases the total cheetah population in India to 35, hailed as a historic milestone for conservation. Meanwhile, plans are underway for eight more cheetahs to arrive from Botswana at the end of February.

Key Points: India's Cheetah Count Rises to 35 After Birth of Five Cubs

  • Aasha gives birth to five cubs
  • Total cheetah population now 35
  • Eighth successful litter in India
  • More cheetahs arriving from Botswana
3 min read

Namibian cheetah Aasha gives birth to five cubs, India's Cheetah count rises to 35

Namibian cheetah Aasha gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, marking a major milestone for Project Cheetah under PM Modi's leadership.

"A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah - Bhupender Yadav"

New Delhi, February 7

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday announced that Aasha, the Namibian cheetah under the Project Cheetah, has given birth to five cubs, increasing the surviving cubs count to 24 and the total number of Cheetahs to 35 in India.

Taking it to X, Yadav stated that Aasha gave birth to the five cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

"Kuno Welcomes the Birth of FIVE Cubs. Aasha's legacy leaps forward--India welcomes her five adorable cubs! A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha, the Namibian cheetah and a proud second-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on 7th February 2026 at Kuno National Park. With this, the tally of Indian-born surviving cubs rises to 24, marking the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil--a significant milestone in India's cheetah conservation journey, undertaken and nurtured under the environmentally-conscious leadership of PM Narendra Modi..." he wrote.

The Environment Minister further hailed the field staff and veterinarians for their dedicated work in protecting and conserving the wildlife. He also highlighted that the total Cheetah population has risen to 35 with the birth of Aasha's cubs.

"This joyous achievement stands as a shining testimony to the unwavering dedication, skill, and commitment of the field staff and veterinarians working tirelessly on the ground. May Aasha and her cubs thrive, flourish, and sprint India's cheetah story to even greater success. With their arrival, the total cheetah population in India now stands at 35. A truly historic and heart-warming moment for wildlife conservation in India," he saidd.

Earlier on Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said that eight additional cheetahs would arrive in the state from Botswana at the end of February.

CM Yadav also emphasised that he held detailed discussions with Bhupender Yadav regarding the required cooperation and arrangements for the cheetah reintroduction program.

The Chief Minister met with Union Minister Yadav in New Delhi on Wednesday and discussed issues related to tourism development, expansion of reserve forests, and wildlife conservation in the state.

After the meeting, he told reporters, "Today, I met with Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav, discussed tourism development, expansion of reserve forests, and wildlife conservation in the state. We are transporting wild buffalo from Assam to Madhya Pradesh and need assistance with the relocation. Additionally, eight cheetahs will also arrive in MP from Botswana on February 28, and we discussed the necessary cooperation and arrangements for the arrival of the big cat."

Meanwhile, 'Project Cheetah' is India's world-first intercontinental translocation project, which was kick-started on September 17, 2022. The aim of the project was to reintroduce the cheetah in India, which went extinct in the country in 1952.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Fantastic achievement! From extinction to 35 cheetahs is no small feat. Project Cheetah is making India proud on the global stage. However, I hope the focus remains on creating a sustainable habitat and not just on numbers for political mileage.
A
Arjun K
Heartwarming news indeed! Five cubs! Wishing them a long and safe life in Kuno. This project shows what we can achieve with proper planning and scientific approach. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As someone who loves wildlife, this is incredible to read. Bringing a species back from local extinction is a massive conservation win. The field staff and vets are the real heroes here. All the best to the new family!
V
Vikram M
Great progress. But let's also talk about the challenges. The initial deaths were concerning. We must ensure these animals have enough space and prey, and that local communities are involved and benefit from this project. Long-term vision is key.
K
Kavya N
Aasha means hope, and she is living up to her name! 🐆 So proud of this milestone. It's not just about cheetahs; it's about restoring our ecosystems. Hope to visit Kuno one day to see them!

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