Bhopal: Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh is abuzz with excitement as the park prepares to welcome a new generation of cheetahs. A female cheetah is pregnant, and this development signifies a major success for India’s ambitious “Cheetah Project,” aimed at reviving the species in the country after their extinction nearly eight decades ago.
Chief Minister Shares the Good News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav shared the joyous news on social media, posting a picture of the expectant cheetah. In his post on the platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), CM Yadav expressed his delight, saying, “Happiness is about to come in Kuno. The female cheetah is going to give birth to new cubs soon in the Cheetah State of the country, Madhya Pradesh.” He emphasized that this event marks a significant milestone for the “Cheetah Project,” which has made continuous strides in restoring ecological balance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Cheetah Project: A Journey of Restoration
The announcement is a testament to the success of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project, a groundbreaking initiative that started in 2022. On 17 September 2022, Prime Minister Modi released eight cheetahs—five females and three males—brought from Namibia into Kuno National Park. This marked the return of cheetahs to India for the first time since the species was declared extinct due to excessive hunting in the mid-20th century. It was the world’s first intercontinental transfer of cheetahs, a historic step towards wildlife conservation.
The success continued when, in February 2023, 12 more cheetahs were translocated from South Africa to KNP, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster the cheetah population in India.
Cheetah Cubs: A New Chapter in Conservation
The pregnant cheetah is expected to deliver soon, further expanding the population of these majestic animals in Kuno. So far, 17 cheetah cubs have been born in India as part of this project, with 12 of them surviving, bringing the total cheetah count, including cubs, in Kuno to 24. This natural reproduction signifies that the cheetahs have adapted well to their new environment, marking a positive trajectory for the species’ future in India.
A Symbol of Ecological Progress
The birth of cheetah cubs in Kuno is not only a symbol of the project’s success but also a step forward in maintaining ecological balance. By reintroducing the world’s fastest land animal into Indian wildlife, the project aims to strengthen biodiversity and restore the natural balance in grasslands. The ‘Cheetah Project’ is seen as a model of conservation excellence, and the forthcoming birth of the cubs is expected to further bolster the program’s success.
As Kuno National Park prepares to welcome its new residents, this moment serves as a proud chapter in India’s ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation. With the efforts of government officials and wildlife experts, the cheetah is not only making a comeback but thriving once again in Indian landscapes.
