Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, reached a new milestone on Monday, October 5, when 32-month-old female cheetah KJP-21, born in India, gave birth to five healthy cubs. With their arrival, India’s cheetah population has risen to 60, including 41 cheetahs born on Indian soil.
KJP-21 is the third female cheetah born in India to give birth to cubs, after KJP-12 and Mukhi. The birth marks a significant milestone in the country’s cheetah conservation and reintroduction efforts and reflects the successful expansion of a new generation of cheetahs in India.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav congratulated the forest officials, veterinarians, field staff, management teams and all those associated with Project Cheetah on the achievement. He said that their dedication, commitment and tireless efforts have continued to advance India’s cheetah reintroduction programme. The birth of cubs has renewed hope for cheetah conservation in Kuno.
Botswana Lineage Established in India: The birth of KJP-21’s five cubs also marks an important genetic milestone. Their father is a male cheetah brought from Botswana. The birth of cubs marks the first successful breeding of the Botswana lineage in India, adding new genetic diversity to the country’s growing cheetah population.
Another Milestone in Cheetah Reintroduction: The birth of another generation of cheetahs in India marks another significant milestone for Project Cheetah. The achievement reflects the sustained scientific management and conservation efforts at Kuno National Park to ensure the long-term growth of India’s cheetah population.
