The number of cheetahs in India has now increased to 38 after three new cubs were born at Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The development was confirmed on Wednesday (18th February) by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
VIDEO | Cheetah 'Gamini' gives birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 18, 2026
India’s total cheetah population has now reached 38.#Kuno #Cheetah
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/ctCHZOXLcs
The three new cubs were born to Gamini, who was brought from South Africa as part of the government’s ambitious Project Cheetah. This is her second litter in India. It is a proud moment for the country as the birth of the cubs marks a new milestone as India completes three years since the arrival of cheetahs from South Africa, Yadav said.
According to the minister, this is the ninth successful litter of cheetahs in the country. With the addition of these new cubs, the total number of Indian-born cubs that have survived is now 27, said the minister. “Each new birth is an addition to the strength of Project Cheetah and is an indication that the hard work and continuous efforts of our field staff and veterinary teams are paying off as they are taking care of the animals,” he said.
The cheetahs were relocated to India in 2022 and 2023 in what is being called the first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore in the world. A total of 20 cheetahs were relocated from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park as part of the plan to revive the species in India.
Yadav said that the addition of the three cubs is not only good news for Kuno but also for the entire country, as it indicates that the efforts of India are going in the right direction to bring back the world’s fastest land animal.
