In a significant boost to India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, a Namibian female cheetah has given birth to five healthy cubs at Kuno National Park, taking the total number of cheetahs in the country to 53.
The cheetah, named Jwala, delivered the cubs on March 9 at the national park located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
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Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the development on social media on Monday, describing it as a historic milestone for Project Cheetah. He noted that since her arrival in Kuno, Jwala has adapted well to the new environment and has emerged as one of the park’s most successful female cheetahs.
Jwala, earlier known as Siyaya, was among the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia and released at Kuno by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2022. The move marked the reintroduction of cheetahs to India after more than 70 years.
This is the third time Jwala has given birth in India. She previously delivered four cubs in March 2023, though only one survived. She later gave birth to three cubs in January 2024.
Forest officials said both the mother and the newborn cubs are healthy and active. A team of veterinarians and wildlife experts is closely monitoring them through CCTV surveillance and regular field monitoring to ensure their safety and well-being.
