Five cheetah cubs born in MP’s Kuno Park as India’s tally rises to 35

Cheetah Aasha has given birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park , taking the total number of cheetahs in India to 35 , Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday.

Aasha was translocated from Namibia under Project Cheetah , India’s ambitious programme to revive the population of the world’s fastest land animal , which had gone extinct in the country decades ago.

“Kuno has witnessed a moment of pride as Aasha gives birth to five healthy cubs , strengthening India’s cheetah conservation journey. With this, the number of Indian-born cubs has risen to 24 , and the overall cheetah population now stands at 35 ,” Yadav said in a post on X .

Praising the Madhya Pradesh forest department , the Chief Minister said the achievement reflects the tireless efforts of forest staff and veterinarians involved in the conservation programme.

Officials clarified that the current cheetah population in India is well below 50, with the figure of 35 including both adult cheetahs and cubs, housed primarily in Kuno National Park , which was chosen for the reintroduction as its grassland–savanna landscape closely resembles the cheetahs’ natural African habitat , making it suitable for their adaptation and long-term survival.

Under Project Cheetah , the Centre aims to establish a self-sustaining population of around 60–70 cheetahs across suitable protected landscapes, including Kuno and Gandhi Sagar , over the next few years.

“The state is emerging as an epicentre of wildlife conservation ,” Yadav added.