Indias cheetah reintroduction programme advanced markedly in 2025 with the birth of 12 cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday. The arrivals bring the countrys total cheetah population to 30, reinforcing efforts to restore a species that vanished from India nearly seven decades ago.
India cheetah reintroduction
Field Director Uttam Sharma told PTI that three female cheetahs gave birth to the 12 cubs during the year. Three of those cubs did not survive for various reasons. In total six cheetahs, including three cubs, died in 2025: one adult relocated from Namibia and two sub-adults were among the fatalities.
The governments project began with an initial transfer of eight cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022, followed by 12 animals moved from South Africa to Kuno in February 2023. Of the current population, 27 are housed at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district and three have been shifted to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur district. Officials said the programme will establish a third site at Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Sagar district to broaden the species range and reduce concentration risk.
Conservationists point to the births as a major milestone. Of the 30 cheetahs now in India, 19 are cubs born on Indian soil since the reintroduction began. Over three years the country has added 10 animals to its population after importing 20 cheetahs under the reintroduction scheme.
Despite the successes, Sharma and other officials caution that the project faces ongoing challenges. Mortality from disease, adaptation issues and natural causes has affected several individuals. Authorities say continued monitoring, veterinary care and habitat management will be essential to improve survival rates and ensure the small population becomes self-sustaining.
Looking ahead, India is set to welcome eight more cheetahs from Botswana. Officials reported that the animals have already been captured and could arrive at Kuno by February. The planned transfers are part of a broader, phased strategy to increase genetic diversity and expand the species presence across suitable protected areas.
Project Cheetah has been closely watched at home and abroad as an example of international conservation cooperation. The team leading the effort emphasises rigorous ecological assessments, pre-release conditioning and community outreach to reduce conflict with local people and livestock.
Wildlife managers say the creation of multiple, well managed sites will reduce the risk of a single catastrophic event wiping out the entire introduced population. Establishing populations at Gandhi Sagar and Nauradehi aims to spread the animals across habitats with appropriate prey base and protection measures.
Although setbacks have occurred, the births this year provide fresh momentum for a programme that seeks to restore one of the worlds fastest land mammals to its former range in India. With further imports planned and enhanced management on the ground, authorities are optimistic that the cheetah population can continue to grow over the coming years.
Key Takeaways:
- India cheetah reintroduction records 12 cubs born at Kuno National Park in 2025, raising the national population to 30.
- Three cubs did not survive and three other cheetahs died during the year, underscoring ongoing conservation challenges.
- Twenty cheetahs were imported from Namibia and South Africa; eight more from Botswana are expected by February.
- New homes at Gandhi Sagar and Nauradehi will expand the national programme and strengthen long term recovery.
