Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that life always finds its own way, and this very nature makes it all the more fascinating. There was a time when Madhya Pradesh had only a handful of cheetahs; today, their number has risen to 56.
Expressing immense happiness, the Chief Minister said that the historic journey of cheetah reintroduction, launched at Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has reached a new milestone. The birth of four cubs at Kuno is a beautiful symbol of hope, resilience and success in India’s ongoing cheetah conservation journey.
On Friday, September 18, a day after Project Cheetah completed four years, KGP12, a female cheetah born in India, gave birth to four cubs at Kuno. Describing the development as a historic and joyous moment for Project Cheetah, Dr. Yadav said the birth marks an important step towards increasing the cheetah population in the country and demonstrates that Kuno’s natural environment is becoming increasingly conducive to cheetah breeding and conservation.
The Chief Minister congratulated and extended his best wishes to all officers and personnel associated with Project Cheetah.
Project Cheetah: India’s Cheetah Population Rises to 56
New cubs at Kuno: India-born female cheetah KGP12 has given birth to four cubs, taking the country’s cheetah population from 52 to 56.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, sustained efforts are being undertaken for the conservation, breeding and protection of cheetahs.
With the arrival of the four cubs, the number of cheetahs born in India has risen to 36.
Four years, four new lives: The development marks an important milestone in India’s cheetah conservation and natural breeding efforts, further strengthening Madhya Pradesh’s position as a major centre for cheetah conservation.
Successful Cheetah Reintroduction Journey: 2022–2026
September 17, 2022: Eight cheetahs arrived in Kuno from Namibia.
February 2023: Twelve cheetahs were brought to India from South Africa.
February 2026: Nine cheetahs were brought to India from Botswana.
These reintroduction efforts, along with breeding in India, have resulted in a total of 56 surviving cheetahs.
52 to 56: Four new members have joined India’s cheetah population.
At the completion of four years of Project Cheetah, India had 52 surviving cheetahs.
Following the birth of four cubs to KGP12 on September 18, 2026, the population has risen to 56. The number of cheetahs born in India now stands at 36, further strengthening the India-born generation.
Cheetah Conservation Expanding Across Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is currently the principal centre of Project Cheetah.
Before the birth of the four cubs, 49 cheetahs were in Kuno National Park and three in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Following the birth of the four cubs, Kuno now has 53 cheetahs, taking the total number in Madhya Pradesh to 56.
Cheetah conservation has successfully expanded beyond Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
From Reintroduction to Breeding
Project Cheetah began in India on September 17, 2022, with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia.
Subsequently, cheetahs were brought to India from South Africa and Botswana.
Cheetah breeding has also been successfully recorded in India. The birth of four cubs to an India-born female marks a new milestone in this journey.
Cheetah conservation in India has now progressed beyond reintroduction to breeding and conservation of a new generation.
PM Modi’s Initiative and Madhya Pradesh’s Role as Custodian
Project Cheetah, initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is being carried forward in Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. The Forest Department, wildlife experts, veterinarians and field personnel are continuously working with dedication on cheetah protection, healthcare, monitoring and habitat management.
