India’s Cheetah count rises to 53 as Namibian cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno

Madhya Pradesh: India’s cheetah conservation programme achieved another milestone on Monday as Jwala, a Namibian cheetah, gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, taking the country’s total cheetah population to 53.

The birth marks the 10th successful litter under Project Cheetah and raises the number of cubs born on Indian soil to 33.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described the development as a proud moment for the programme. In a statement, he said Jwala, now a successful third-time mother, has contributed significantly to India’s efforts to restore the species.

“This is an encouraging milestone for Project Cheetah. The birth of five cubs and the crossing of the 50 mark shows the programme is gradually stabilising,” a senior forest department official said.

Wildlife experts noted that the births suggest the animals are adapting well to Kuno’s landscape, which consists of grasslands, woodland patches and prey species such as chital and chinkara that support cheetah survival.

Officials credited the success to intensive monitoring and management by ground teams. Veterinarians, wildlife biologists and forest guards have been working round the clock to track the animals, monitor their health and ensure safe breeding conditions within the park.

The programme has faced challenges in its initial phase, including cub mortality and the need for adaptive management strategies. However, the steady rise in births over the past two years is being viewed as a positive sign for the long-term success of the initiative.

With Jwala’s latest litter, India now has 53 cheetahs, including translocated adults brought from Africa and cubs born in Kuno.

Authorities said the newborn cubs will remain under close observation in the coming weeks, a critical period for their survival. If they thrive, they may eventually form part of future plans to expand cheetah populations to other suitable habitats across India.

The development was also welcomed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who described the birth as a historic and heart-warming moment for wildlife conservation.

Conservationists say the milestone represents another step toward restoring a species that once roamed India’s grasslands. For Project Cheetah, the birth of Jwala’s five cubs is both a scientific achievement and a symbolic moment in the country’s ongoing wildlife restoration efforts.