India’s cheetah reintroduction programme has achieved a major milestone, with the country’s cheetah population crossing 50 after the birth of five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
The cubs were born to Jwala, a Namibian cheetah that is part of the government’s ambitious Project Cheetah. The news was shared by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav. Officials described the development as a proud moment for wildlife conservation in India.
With the birth of the new litter, the total number of cheetahs in India has now reached 53. The five cubs are also part of the growing number of cheetahs born on Indian soil under the programme.
Project Cheetah shows steady progress
Project Cheetah was launched in 2022 to bring the world’s fastest land animal back to India decades after it went extinct in the country. Under this project, African cheetahs were brought from Namibia and South Africa and released in Kuno National Park.
The latest birth has increased the number of Indian-born cubs thriving in the wild to 33. It is also the 10th successful cheetah litter recorded in India since the programme began.
Jwala has now become a successful mother for the third time, giving conservationists confidence that the cheetahs are adapting well to their new environment. Wildlife experts say repeated successful breeding is a strong sign that the animals are settling into the ecosystem.
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Cheetahs cross half-century 🐆
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) March 9, 2026
A moment of great pride for Project Cheetah as Jwala, the Namibian Cheetah and a successful third-time mother, gave birth to five cubs today at the Kuno National Park.
With this birth, the number of Indian-born thriving cubs has risen to 33,… pic.twitter.com/tzxYYmLPtM
Officials also credited the efforts of veterinarians, wildlife experts and field staff who continuously monitor the animals’ health, movement and breeding patterns at Kuno.
The goal of Project Cheetah is to gradually build a stable and self-sustaining population of cheetahs in suitable habitats across the country.
For now, conservationists are closely watching Jwala and her five newborn cubs, hoping the growing population will help restore the ecological balance that cheetahs once maintained in India’s grasslands.
