In a landmark achievement for India's cheetah reintroduction project, Mukhi, the first Indian-born cheetah, has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This event marks the first time in the country's history that a cheetah born on Indian soil has reproduced, signaling the species' successful adaptation to its new environment.
Mukhi, who is 33 months old, was born in India to a Namibian cheetah that was translocated as part of Project Cheetah. This makes her a second-generation cheetah, and her successful breeding is a critical milestone in establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India. Officials confirm that both Mukhi and her cubs are in good health and are being closely monitored by the park's veterinary team.
The news has been met with widespread celebration. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed it as a historic milestone and an unprecedented breakthrough for India's cheetah reintroduction initiative. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav echoed this sentiment, calling it a historic moment for wildlife conservation and a strong indicator of the species' adaptation, health, and long-term prospects in Indian habitats.
Mukhi's journey has been particularly remarkable. Abandoned by her mother at birth, she was raised by wildlife officials at Kuno National Park. She is the sole survivor of a litter of cubs born in India at Kuno, overcoming challenges such as the severe summer heat that led to the death of her three siblings. According to Uttam Kumar Sharma, Director of Kuno National Park and Project Cheetah, Mukhi had just begun her rewilding exercise when she conceived. It is believed that one of the male cheetahs born to Asha is the father of the cubs.
With the addition of these five cubs, the cheetah population in Madhya Pradesh has increased to 32. The number of cheetahs born in India has now risen to 21, although, of the 31 cubs born so far, 10 have died. Currently, 24 of the 27 cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh are located in Kuno National Park, while the remaining three have been relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Project Cheetah was initiated in 2022 to reintroduce the species to India after it was declared extinct in the country in 1952. As part of this project, 20 cheetahs were brought to India from Namibia and South Africa. The introduction of cheetahs began on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia to Kuno National Park, followed by twelve cheetahs from South Africa.
The successful reproduction of an Indian-born cheetah underscores the potential for these relocated animals to adapt and thrive in their new environment. It reinforces optimism about establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India, furthering the nation's conservation goals. The birth of Mukhi's cubs represents a significant stride towards securing the long-term survival of cheetahs in India.
