India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
There is more good news from Kuno National Park. Five cheetah cubs have been born in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, taking India’s cheetah count to 60. Of these, 41 have now been born in the country.
The cubs were born to KJP21, a female cheetah that was itself born in India. The male cheetah that fathered the cubs was brought to India from Botswana.
Five cheetah cubs were born in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, to an Indian-born mother and a father from Botswana, raising India’s cheetah total to 60. This birth introduces a new genetic lineage, signifying progress for Project Cheetah.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the birth on Monday and congratulated the veterinarians, forest officials, field staff and others involved in Project Cheetah.
For India’s cheetah programme, the birth is important for another reason. Since the father came from Botswana, the five cubs introduce a new Botswana lineage into the country’s growing cheetah population.
In other words, a cheetah born in India has now produced another generation, with a new genetic line being added to the population.
KJP21’s five cubs
KJP21 is the third female cheetah known to have been born in India, after Mukhi and KGP12, according to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office.
Her five cubs mark another step in the effort to establish a self sustaining cheetah population in India. Kuno has been at the centre of this programme, with forest teams and veterinarians closely monitoring the animals and providing care when required.
Another historic and joyous milestone for Project Cheetah! 🐆❤️KJP21, a 32-month-old Indian-born female cheetah, has given birth to five healthy cubs in Kuno National Park today.KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12—an important milestone in the emergence of the next generation of India’s cheetah population.With the arrival of these five cubs, the cheetah population in India has reached 60, including 41 Indian-born cheetahs.Importantly, these cubs also mark the beginning of the Botswanan lineage in India, as their father is a Botswanan male cheetah—adding a new genetic lineage to India’s growing cheetah population.Another generation born on Indian soil, adding yet another beautiful chapter to the remarkable story of cheetah reintroduction in India.Heartfelt congratulations to the veterinarians, field staff, managers and everyone associated with Project Cheetah, whose dedication, commitment and tireless efforts have made these moments possible.Welcome to the world, little ones 🐆#WildlifeWeek2026
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 5, 2026
The latest birth comes as authorities continue to track the health, movement and breeding of cheetahs at the park.
India now has 60 cheetahs
The five cubs take the total number of cheetahs in India to 60. The number born on Indian soil has also climbed to 41.
The latest arrivals add to the growing population at Kuno and bring a new genetic lineage into the programme. For the teams working on Project Cheetah, the birth is another sign that the animals brought to India are now breeding and producing successive generations here.
The focus will now be on the health and survival of the five cubs as they grow in Kuno National Park.
