India, Nov 21 : India’s cheetah reintroduction programme has achieved a landmark success with the birth of five cubs to Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah under Project Cheetah. The development marks a crucial moment in the country’s conservation journey, signaling strong adaptation and reproductive viability of the species in Indian habitats.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced the milestone, confirming that 33-month-old Mukhi has given birth to five healthy cubs. This is the first known instance in recent history of an Indian-born cheetah reproducing in the wild, underscoring the positive trajectory of the ambitious project.
Calling it a “historic development,” Yadav said the event showcases encouraging signs of the cheetahs’ health, acclimatisation, and long-term sustainability within India’s ecosystems. He added that both Mukhi and her cubs are healthy and being closely monitored by wildlife teams.
Officials note that the birth strengthens hopes of establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India, offering fresh momentum to ongoing conservation efforts.
This achievement is expected to significantly boost confidence in Project Cheetah’s long-term goals and its role in restoring the species’ ecological presence in the country.