India-born Cheetah Mukhi gives birth to five cubs in major boost to 'Project Cheetah'

India’s cheetah conservation efforts received a significant boost with the birth of five cubs to Mukhi, an India-born female cheetah at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. 

The development, announced by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Thursday, was described as a major milestone in the country’s ongoing cheetah reintroduction programme.

In his post on X, Dr Yadav wrote, “A historic milestone has been achieved as Indian-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. The mother and cubs are doing well.”

He continued: This is an unprecedented breakthrough for India’s cheetah reintroduction initiative. Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah at 33 months of age, has now become the first India-born cheetah to reproduce making it a landmark achievement for Project Cheetah.

“The successful reproduction of an India-born cheetah is a strong indicator of the species’ adaptation, health, and long-term prospects in Indian habitats. This significant step forward strengthens optimism about establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India, further advancing the nation’s conservation goals,” he added.

Mukhi’s successful reproduction marks the first time an India-born cheetah has given birth since the reintroduction programme began. The development is being viewed as a strong sign that cheetahs are adapting well to Indian conditions, reinforcing the long-term viability of the ambitious project.

India reintroduced cheetahs in 2022, decades after the species became extinct in the country. PM Modi released eight cheetahs, five females and three males, brought from Namibia into Kuno National Park, marking the first intercontinental translocation of big cats.

Mukhi’s litter is a significant step towards creating a stable and genetically robust cheetah population in India.