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<\/a>![\"Mukhi,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770663553_811_1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg\" "\\"Mukhi,"){kind=logo}
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<\/p>\nMukhi, the first Indian-born cheetah cub, at Kuno National Park (KNP), in Madhya Pradesh. (@byadavbjp\/X via PTI)<\/p>\n
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Cheetah Aasha recently gave birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradesh\u2019s Kuno National Park<\/a>, taking the population to 35. Aasha was translocated to India from Namibia as part of the ambitious project to revive the population of the world\u2019s fastest land animal in India, which had gone extinct decades ago.<\/p>\n \u201cKuno has witnessed a moment of pure pride as Aasha gives birth to five healthy cubs, strengthening India\u2019s cheetah conservation journey. With this, the number of Indian-born cubs rises to 24, and the total cheetah population reaches 35,” MP CM Mohan Yadav wrote on X.<\/p>\n Environment minister Bhupender Yadav wrote: \u201cKuno Welcomes<\/a> the Birth of FIVE Cubs. Aasha\u2019s legacy leaps forward\u2014India welcomes her five adorable cubs! A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha, the Namibian cheetah and a proud second-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on 7th February 2026 at Kuno National Park. With this, the tally of Indian-born surviving cubs rises to 24, marking the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil\u2014a significant milestone in India\u2019s cheetah conservation journey, undertaken and nurtured under the environmentally-conscious leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji.”<\/p>\n Kuno Welcomes the Birth of FIVE Cubs \ud83d\udc06\u2728Aasha\u2019s legacy leaps forward\u2014India welcomes her five adorable cubs!<\/p>\n A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha, the Namibian cheetah and a proud second-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on 7th February 2026 at\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vTXFkZJoso<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n EIGHT MORE CHEETAHS ON THEIR WAY<\/p>\n MP CM Mohan Yadav recently said that eight additional cheetahs <\/a>would arrive in the state from Botswana at the end of February.<\/p>\n CM Yadav also emphasised that he held detailed discussions with the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav regarding the required cooperation and arrangements for the cheetah reintroduction program.<\/p>\n The Chief Minister met with Union Minister Yadav in New Delhi on Wednesday and discussed issues related to tourism development, expansion of reserve forests, and wildlife conservation in the state.<\/p>\n After the meeting, he told reporters, \u201cWe are transporting wild buffalo from Assam to Madhya Pradesh and need assistance with the relocation. Additionally, eight cheetahs will also arrive in MP from Botswana on February 28, and we discussed the necessary cooperation and arrangements for the arrival of the big cat.”<\/p>\n Kuno Welcomes the Birth of FIVE Cubs \ud83d\udc06\u2728Aasha\u2019s legacy leaps forward\u2014India welcomes her five adorable cubs!<\/p>\n A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha, the Namibian cheetah and a proud second-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on 7th February 2026 at\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vTXFkZJoso<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n WHAT IS INDIA\u2019S PROJECT CHEETAH?<\/p>\n India\u2019s Project Cheetah<\/a> is a high-profile wildlife conservation and species reintroduction effort aimed at restoring cheetahs to India\u2019s wild after the species was declared extinct in the country in 1952. It aims to reintroduce and establish a self-sustaining wild cheetah population in India. It began at Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) was chosen as the primary site because it offers suitable grassland habitat and controlled conditions.<\/p>\n TRANSLOCATION OF CHEETAHS<\/p>\n Because the native Asiatic cheetah population had died out, India sourced African cheetahs (a different subspecies) from partner countries:<\/p>\n Namibia: <\/strong>India\u2019s first batch (8 cheetahs) was flown in September 2022. On September 17, 2022 \u2014 which was also PM Modi\u2019s birthday \u2014 he personally released these cheetahs <\/a>at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh into specially prepared enclosures to begin their acclimatisation.<\/p>\n South Africa: <\/strong>A second batch (12 cheetahs) arrived in February 2023.<\/p>\n Botswana:<\/strong> Additional cheetahs are being brought in 2026 to strengthen the population.<\/p>\n These animals undergo quarantine and careful acclimatisation before being released into fenced or wild areas.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n WHY BIRTHS OF CUBS MATTER<\/p>\n 1. Cheetahs were extinct in India for 70 years. Cubs being born means<\/a> the African cheetahs have adapted to India\u2019s climate, found enough prey, felt safe enough to breed. That\u2019s the hardest part of any reintroduction.<\/p>\n 2. Without cubs, cheetahs would survive only as managed animals. With cubs, India moves toward a self-sustaining wild population \u2014 the core goal of Project Cheetah.<\/p>\n 3. Cubs raised in India learn local hunting patterns, adapt better than translocated adults, are more likely to survive and reproduce later<\/p>\n 4. Successful breeding shows grasslands are suitable, human disturbance is manageable, conservation planning wasn\u2019t just theoretical. It strengthens the case for expanding cheetahs to other reserves.<\/p>\n 5. Cubs in India make Project Cheetah a global case study, a model for future wildlife restorations, and a diplomatic win for international conservation cooperation.<\/p>\n With PTI, ANI Inputs<\/p>\n Handpicked stories, in your inbox<\/p>\n A newsletter with the best of our journalism<\/p>\n submit<\/p>\n First Published:<\/p>\n February 09, 2026, 18:39 IST<\/p>\n News<\/a> explainers<\/a> Project Cheetah Leaps Forward: Birth Of 5 Cubs Takes Total To 35; 8 More Being TranslocatedDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n\n
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