A Namibian cheetah named Jwala has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, marking another milestone for India’s wildlife conservation efforts. The new litter has increased the country’s total cheetah population to 53.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described the development as a proud moment for India’s cheetah reintroduction programme. With the latest births, the number of India-born cheetah cubs has risen to 33, marking the 10th successful litter on Indian soil.
Jwala, originally known as Siyaya, was part of the first batch of eight cheetahs brought from Namibia in September 2022 when India launched Project Cheetah, a global effort to reintroduce the species after it went extinct in the country more than 70 years ago.
This is the third time Jwala has given birth in India, reflecting the growing adaptation of the African cheetahs to the Indian habitat. Wildlife officials said the mother and the cubs are healthy and are being closely monitored by veterinarians and forest staff through cameras and field checks.
With the latest addition, Kuno National Park continues to strengthen its role as the centre of India’s cheetah revival programme, aimed at restoring the big cat to the country’s grassland ecosystems.
