Three years on, Project Cheetah records 38 cheetahs across Kuno, Gandhi Sagar

Three years after its launch, Project Cheetah has recorded 38 cheetahs across Madhya Pradesh, with successful breeding and second-generation cub survival at Kuno National Park marking a key consolidation phase in India’s ambitious wildlife reintroduction programme.

Hyderabad: The Cheetahs are back with a bang in India, literally!

Thanks to ‘Project Cheetah’, launched on February 18, 2023, it seems to be a huge success despite the early blues as the current status after exactly three years stands at an impressive 38, with 34 in Kuno National Park and three in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

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According to an official release on Wednesday, of the eight Namibian cheetahs introduced on September 17, 2023, three are thriving and established along with 17 of their Indian off-spring bringing the total established Namibian-origin population and progeny to 20.

And, of the 12 South African cheetahs introduced on February 18, 2023, three are thriving and established along with their 10 India-born off-spring, bringing the total established South African-origin population and progeny to 18. Of these 18 cheetahs, 15 are in Kuno National Park and three are in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

“Three years on, the establishment of breeding females and survival of second-generation cubs marks an important consolidation phase in India’s cheetah reintroduction programme,” according to the official release.

Interestingly, the cheetahs from Namibia – Jwala has one thriving cub from first litter, three from second litter, Aasha three from first and five from second litter, South African Gamini has three from first litter and three from second litter this month, Veera has one cub thriving from first litter, Nirva three thriving cubs from first litter and Mukhi five from first litter.

The other welcome development is four cubs being born in 2023, 15 in 2024, 12 in 2025 and eight in 2026 taking the tally to 39 born and 27 thriving in Kuno National Park.