In a remarkable milestone for wildlife conservation in India, Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah, has given birth to five healthy cubs at Kuno National Park in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The announcement was made on Thursday by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, who hailed the development as a significant breakthrough in India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program. The birth of Mukhi’s cubs not only marks a historic achievement for Project Cheetah but also reinforces optimism about establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India.

Mukhi, aged 33 months, was part of the first generation of cheetahs born in India following the country’s inter-continental translocation initiative. This program, which began with the reintroduction of cheetahs on September 17, 2022, aimed to bring the species back to India nearly six decades after it went extinct in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss. The successful reproduction of Mukhi indicates that the species is adapting well to Indian habitats and climate conditions, offering a promising sign for the long-term success of the program.

In a post on his official social media account, Bhupender Yadav described the event as a “delightful breakthrough” and noted that the development underscores the potential for cheetahs to establish a thriving, genetically varied population within India. He emphasized that the health and well-being of both Mukhi and her cubs are excellent, highlighting the success of ongoing conservation and management efforts at Kuno National Park.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav also celebrated the birth, calling it a “historic moment” for the nation. He lauded Mukhi’s achievement as a significant step forward in the cheetah reintroduction initiative, which is part of India’s broader efforts to restore key predators to their historical ranges. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the milestone in terms of advancing ecological balance and strengthening India’s conservation credentials on a global scale.

Mukhi’s journey has been remarkable and has captured the attention of wildlife experts and conservationists across the country. She is the sole survivor of the first litter of Jwala, born in India on April 20, 2023. In June 2023, at just two months old, Mukhi was found starved and dehydrated along with her two siblings. While Mukhi survived, her siblings unfortunately did not. This survival story not only demonstrated her resilience but also the dedication and care provided by the forest officials and field staff involved in Project Cheetah.

According to Uttam Kumar Sharma, Field Director of the Cheetah Project, Mukhi has been a unique case in the initiative, requiring nurturing akin to that of a human infant while simultaneously preparing her for life in the wild. He remarked that the team learned valuable lessons from Mukhi’s care and development, particularly regarding the management of cubs in their early months. Sharma added that Mukhi has now successfully adapted to the Indian climate, having endured extreme heat in 2023 and floods in 2024 and 2025, and has learned critical survival skills, including hunting prey. This adaptability is expected to be passed on to her offspring, ensuring that the next generation of cheetahs is even better equipped to thrive in India’s diverse environmental conditions.

The birth of Mukhi’s five cubs represents a major step towards India’s goal of creating a self-sustaining cheetah population. Currently, India is home to 32 cheetahs, with 29 residing at Kuno National Park and three at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Of these, 21 were born in India, a testament to the progress of the reintroduction program. The remaining cheetahs were translocated from countries such as Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana as part of a carefully managed inter-continental relocation strategy designed to maintain genetic diversity and support population growth.

Bhupender Yadav highlighted that the successful reproduction of an Indian-born cheetah is a strong indicator of the species’ health and the suitability of the chosen habitats. Conservation experts note that reproduction within the reintroduced population is essential not only for population growth but also for maintaining a diverse genetic pool, which is crucial to the long-term resilience and survival of the species.

Looking ahead, India is set to receive an additional eight cheetahs from Botswana next month, which will be housed in an enclosure at Kuno National Park. The integration of these new arrivals, coupled with the natural reproduction of Mukhi and other cheetahs, is expected to enhance the population and further strengthen the genetic base of the species within the country. The continued management and monitoring of cheetahs in India involve a combination of in-situ habitat management, veterinary care, and ecological research to ensure that the population not only grows but also flourishes in the wild.

Experts point out that Project Cheetah is not just about reintroducing a species but also about restoring ecological balance. Cheetahs, as apex predators, play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems by controlling herbivore populations and promoting biodiversity. Their presence can have cascading effects on vegetation and the overall structure of wildlife communities, making their successful reintroduction an ecological priority.

The story of Mukhi and her cubs is also symbolic of the broader efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness in India. It has garnered national attention and has been used to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats. The conservation team emphasizes that community engagement, scientific research, and policy support are all integral components of the initiative’s success.

Field staff at Kuno National Park continue to monitor Mukhi and her cubs closely. Early observations suggest that all five cubs are healthy, feeding well, and showing normal development patterns. Experts plan to track their growth and behavior to ensure that they develop the necessary skills to eventually survive independently in the wild. This close monitoring is crucial during the initial months of life, as cubs are highly vulnerable to predation, environmental stress, and health challenges.

The successful birth also demonstrates the importance of international collaboration in wildlife conservation. The translocation of cheetahs to India involved coordination with multiple countries and adherence to global best practices in animal relocation, veterinary care, and ecological monitoring. These collaborative efforts have provided invaluable insights that are now being applied to ensure the survival and adaptation of Mukhi’s cubs in Indian habitats.

In conclusion, the birth of five cubs to Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah, is a landmark achievement for India’s conservation efforts and a historic moment for Project Cheetah. It highlights the potential for creating a self-sustaining and genetically robust cheetah population in the country. As India prepares to welcome additional cheetahs from Botswana and continues to nurture its home-grown cheetah population, conservationists remain hopeful that this initiative will serve as a model for species reintroduction and wildlife management globally. The story of Mukhi and her cubs embodies resilience, careful planning, and the commitment of Indian wildlife authorities to restore the nation’s natural heritage, ensuring that cheetahs once again thrive in their native habitats.