Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a beacon of hope for India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, with the birth of cheetah cubs marking a significant step in reintroducing the species, extinct in India since 1952.

As of March 2025, the park has witnessed the birth of 21 cubs since the project’s inception in September 2022, when eight Namibian cheetahs were translocated to the park. This number reflects a mix of triumphs and challenges, with 14 cubs currently surviving and seven adapting to the wild.

The latest notable success came on February 4, 2025, when South African cheetah Veera gave birth to two cubs, boosting the park’s cheetah count to 26. Earlier, Namibian cheetah Aasha delivered three cubs in January 2024, followed by releases into the wild alongside their mother in February 2025. Another milestone occurred on March 17, 2025, when South African cheetah Gamini and her four cubs, born in March 2024, were freed into the Khajuri forest area, raising the wild cheetah population to 17, including 11 India-born cubs.

Despite setbacks—12 cheetahs (eight adults and four cubs) have died due to heat, illness, and other factors—the project has seen progress. Jwala, a Namibian cheetah, birthed four cubs in March 2023, though only one survived the harsh summer. With 12 adults and 14 cubs now in Kuno, officials are optimistic, eyeing further releases to bolster tourism and ecological balance in this historic rewilding effort.