Kuno National Park: Birth of three new cheetah cubs boosts total population to 38

The Cheetah population at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district has risen with South African female cheetah Gamini giving birth to three cubs on Wednesday.  

Kuno National Park: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday announced that South African cheetah Gamini has given birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park. The development comes as India marks three years since the arrival of the first batch of cheetahs from South Africa.

Sharing the update on X, the minister described the birth as a proud and emotional milestone. Gamini, now a second-time mother, has further strengthened the park’s growing cheetah population. He said the occasion adds to the celebrations at Kuno, calling it a “roaring new chapter” in India’s wildlife conservation journey.

Another good news from Kuno Kuno welcomes three new cubs - A roaring new chapter at Kuno on the occasion of completion of 3 years of arrival of cheetahs from South Africa. Celebrations echo through Kuno National Park as Gamini, the South African cheetah and second-time… pic.twitter.com/JpqnfXlpYl  Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 18, 2026

According to Yadav, this is the ninth successful cheetah litter recorded in India under the reintroduction programme. The number of surviving cubs born on Indian soil has now risen to 27. With the addition of the three newborns, the country’s total cheetah population stands at 38.

He noted that each successful birth reflects the steady progress of Project Cheetah and credited field staff and veterinary teams for their relentless efforts in monitoring and caring for the animals.