Bhopal April 11, 2026. Union Forest minister Bhupendra Yadav on Saturday posted on X “A historic moment unfolds at Kuno National Park as an Indian-born female Cheetah of Gamini, aged 25 months, has given birth to four cubs in the wild—marking a major milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey”. Having been in the wild for over a year, this is the first recorded birth in the wild since the reintroduction began in 2022, and notably, the first such instance involving an Indian-born female. This is a significant step toward achieving the core objectives of the project—survival and breeding under natural conditions. This achievement reflects the growing adaptation of cheetahs to Indian conditions and stands as a testament to the dedication and tireless efforts of the managers, veterinarians, and field staff at Kuno. A proud moment for the Nation—heartiest congratulations to all.

Field Director Cheetah project Uttam Kumar Sharma noted that KGP12, a 25-month-old Indian-born female cheetah, has given birth to four cubs in the wild—an important milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey. All four cubs are healthy. What makes this birth even more special is that KGP12, the second cub from Gamini’s first litter, has now become the first Indian-born female cheetah to give birth in the wild since the reintroduction project began in 2022. Having spent over a year in the wild, KGP12’s successful delivery marks the first recorded wild birth under natural conditions since the cheetah reintroduction programme was launched. It is a major step towards the project’s core goal—helping cheetahs not just survive, but also breed naturally in India. With the arrival of these four cubs, India’s cheetah population has now risen to 57, including 37 Indian-born cheetahs. This achievement reflects how steadily the animals are adapting to Indian conditions and highlights the tireless efforts of wildlife managers, veterinarians and field staff at Kuno. It is truly a proud and hopeful moment for the country, add Sharma.