IBNS-CMEDIA: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Monday announced that Jwala, a Namibian cheetah and a successful third-time mother, has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park.
In a post on social media platform X, the minister said that with the latest births, the number of Indian-born thriving cheetah cubs has risen to 33, marking the 10th successful cheetah litter on Indian soil and another significant milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey under Project Cheetah.
Yadav described the development as a moment of great pride for Project Cheetah, adding that the achievement reflects the dedicated efforts, expertise and commitment of veterinarians, field staff and conservation teams who continue to work tirelessly on the ground.
He further noted that with the birth of these cubs, the total cheetah population in India has now reached 53.
Calling it a historic and heart-warming moment for wildlife conservation, the minister expressed hope that Jwala and her cubs would grow strong and thrive, taking India’s cheetah conservation story to even greater heights.
Recently, Gamini, a South African cheetah at Kuno National Park, became a mother for the second time after giving birth to four cubs.
Earlier, on February 28, 2026, Yadav released nine cheetahs — six females and three males — brought from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park.
The animals are currently undergoing an acclimatisation and health monitoring phase before their gradual release into the larger landscape as part of India’s ongoing cheetah reintroduction programme.
