New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced that India now had more than 50 cheetahs after the Namibian-born Jwala gave birth to five cubs on 9 March. The cubs born at the Kuno National Park mark a significant milestone for India’s Project Cheetah.
“A moment of great pride for Project Cheetah as Jwala, the Namibian cheetah and a successful third-time mother, gave birth to five cubs today at the Kuno National Park,” Yadav said in a post on X.
The birth of this litter has brought the number of Indian-born cheetah cubs to 33. It also marks the tenth successful cheetah litter in India.
On 28 February, Project Cheetah got a boost after nine cheetahs were brought to Madhya Pradesh from Botswana. The new batch comprised six female and three male cheetahs, which were flown on an Indian Air Force aircraft for over 10 hours.
The environment minister said that with the birth of the Indian litter, the total number of cheetahs in India has reached 53.
“This achievement reflects the dedicated efforts, skill, and commitment of the veterinarians, field staff and all involved who continue to work tirelessly on the ground,” Yadav’s post read.
India’s Project Cheetah
Project Cheetah in India began in September 2022, with the first batch of eight cheetahs — five females and three males — being flown in from Namibia.
In February 2023, another batch of 12 cheetahs was brought under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Union Ministry for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the government of South Africa.
The reintroduction of the large feline in India has not been entirely smooth. Out of the 20 cheetahs that were brought to the country from Namibia and South Africa, nine adults died in India due to various reasons. Ten cubs born in India also died during infancy.
The authorities, however, are hopeful that despite the setbacks, the new batch gives Project Cheetah a much-needed push.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)