A female Cheetah named ‘Gamini’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park on Sunday gave birth to five cubs, bringing the total number of big cats in the country to 26, Union minister Bhupender Yadav said.
Taking to social media platform X, the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said, “High Five, Kuno! Female cheetah Gamini, aged about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today.”
The minister pointed out that number of cheetah cubs born in India now stands at 13.
Yadav also informed that this is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa.
Highlighting previous achievements, Yadav recalled that in March last year, cheetah Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs, with only one managing to survive.
Jwala gave birth to her second litter of four cubs in January this year., which was followed by cheetah Aasha delivering three cubs.
“Congratulations to all, especially the team of forest officers, vets, and field staff who have ensured a stress-free environment for cheetahs, which has led to successful mating and birth of the cubs. The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park, is 26. Gamini’s legacy leaps forward: Introducing her adorable cubs,” the Union minister wrote on X.
Gamini is a part of the group of cheetahs brought to India from South Africa under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project. Initiated in 2022, the project saw the release of eight Namibian cheetahs into enclosures at Kuno National Park. Following this, in February 2023, an additional 12 cheetahs were introduced to the park from South Africa.
Since March last year, 10 cheetahs, including three cubs born to Jwala, have passed away. According to officials, the 26 cheetahs in Kuno National Park presently comprise seven females, six males and 13 cubs.
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