An Indian-born cheetah has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. India’s total cheetah population has now reached 60.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the birth on October 5. The mother, KJP21, is a 32-month-old female born in India. She is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12.

Of the 60 cheetahs in India, 41 have been born on Indian soil. The birth marks another milestone for Project Cheetah, the programme to bring the species back to India after it was declared extinct here in 1952.

The five cubs also begin a new Botswanan genetic line in India. Their father is a male cheetah brought from Botswana. Scientists say new bloodlines are important to keep the population healthy and avoid inbreeding.

India’s cheetah programme started in 2022 with eight cheetahs from Namibia. Twelve more came from South Africa in 2023, and nine from Botswana arrived in February 2026.