“With the arrival of these five cubs, the cheetah population in India has reached 60, including 41 Indian-born cheetahs. Importantly, these cubs also mark the beginning of the Botswana lineage in India, as their father is a Botswana male cheetah — adding a new genetic lineage to India’s growing cheetah population,” Union Minister Yadav said.

Another historic and joyous milestone for Project Cheetah! 🐆❤️

KJP21, a 32-month-old Indian-born female cheetah, has given birth to five healthy cubs in Kuno National Park today.

KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12—an important milestone in the emergence of the next generation of India’s cheetah population.

With the arrival of these five cubs, the cheetah population in India has reached 60, including 41 Indian-born cheetahs.

Importantly, these cubs also mark the beginning of the Botswanan lineage in India, as their father is a Botswanan male cheetah—adding a new genetic lineage to India’s growing cheetah population.

Another generation born on Indian soil, adding yet another beautiful chapter to the remarkable story of cheetah reintroduction in India.

Heartfelt congratulations to the veterinarians, field staff, managers and everyone associated with Project Cheetah, whose dedication, commitment and tireless efforts have made these moments possible.

Welcome to the world, little ones 🐆

#WildlifeWeek2026

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 5, 2026

Boost to Project Cheetah

The development comes just months after India brought a fresh group of cheetahs from Botswana to strengthen the genetic base of Project Cheetah.

Nine cheetahs — six females and three males — arrived at Kuno from Botswana in February this year. They were the third group of cheetahs brought to India, after eight from Namibia in 2022 and 12 from South Africa in 2023.

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The decision to bring cheetahs from Botswana followed a fresh round of government-to-government discussions that began in December 2024. The Union government formally approached Botswana as it looked to expand the genetic base of Project Cheetah beyond the animals already brought from Namibia and South Africa.

Environment Minister Yadav took up the proposal with Botswana’s then Environment and Tourism Minister Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi. Botswana agreed to partner with India after considering the country’s detailed Action Plan for Cheetah Reintroduction.

The partnership received a political push during President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to Botswana in November 2025. During her visit, Murmu and Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko witnessed the symbolic release of eight cheetahs, captured from the Ghanzi region, into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve.

The choice of Botswana was significant because the country has one of Africa’s largest remaining wild cheetah populations. The first batch from Botswana was transported from the Mokolodi Nature Reserve to Gaborone and then flown to India with the assistance of the Indian Air Force before being taken by helicopter to Kuno.

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After the November handover, the animals underwent quarantine and the two sides worked through the necessary permissions, including export and CITES clearances, veterinary requirements and arrangements for transporting the animals to India.

A three-member Botswana delegation, including veterinarians and an anti-poaching expert, subsequently visited both Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and held discussions with National Tiger Conservation Authority officials in Delhi.