NEW DELHI: A truly significant moment has arrived for India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program! This Monday, Mukhi, a female cub born right here in Kuno National Park, will become the first India-born cheetah to reach adulthood. This achievement marks a vital step towards establishing a thriving, self-sufficient cheetah population in the country.
Uttam Kumar Sharma, the director of Project Cheetah, shared the exciting news with PTI: “Mukhi, born to Namibian cheetah Jwala on March 29, 2023, will officially turn 915 days, or 30 months old, on Monday, signifying her transition to adulthood. She is now ready to play a crucial role in expanding India’s cheetah numbers.”
Mukhi’s journey is particularly inspiring. “Of the four cubs Jwala gave birth to, three sadly succumbed to the intense heat. However, Mukhi persevered, thrived, and has grown into a strong adult. Our dedication and efforts have clearly paid off,” noted Sharma.
The groundbreaking Project Cheetah commenced on September 17, 2022. It was then that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally oversaw the release of eight Namibian cheetahs into a specially designed enclosure at Kuno. This event represented the world’s first-ever inter-continental relocation of a large wild carnivore. Following this, an additional 12 cheetahs arrived from South Africa in February 2023.
Today, India is home to 27 cheetahs, with a remarkable 16 of them born within the country’s borders. Since the project’s inception, Kuno has welcomed 26 cubs. While there have been losses – 19 cheetahs, comprising nine imported adults and ten India-born cubs, have unfortunately passed away – the current population stands at 24 animals in Kuno and three in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Despite these challenges, India’s cheetah population has grown by seven animals compared to the initial imports. Critically, Kuno’s cub survival rate is currently over 61 percent, which is significantly higher than the global average of 40 percent, highlighting the success of conservation efforts.
Officials are celebrating this progress as a “big success.” They are actively engaged in discussions with other African nations, including Botswana and Namibia, with plans to introduce another 8–10 cheetahs by December. This initiative aims to further enrich the genetic diversity of the existing population and solidify the long-term viability of cheetahs in India.