Sheopur Bureau. Joy swept through Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district on Monday as the 32-month-old Indian-born cheetah KJP21 gave birth to five healthy cubs. The moment the news surfaced, wildlife enthusiasts and forest officials alike erupted in celebration, calling it another milestone for India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme.
According to reports by Patrika and ANI, KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to become a mother, writing yet another chapter in the success story of Project Cheetah. Before her, the Indian-born females Mukhi and KGP12 had given birth to cubs at Kuno.
Cheetah count crosses 60
With the arrival of these five tiny guests, India’s total cheetah population has now crossed 60. Of these, 41 were born on Indian soil — a figure that reflects the steady, continuing success of the reintroduction programme that brought the species back to the country after decades of extinction.
Notably, the cubs’ father is a male cheetah of Botswanan origin, which means these newborns mark the beginning of the Botswanan lineage at Kuno. The mother and all five cubs are reported healthy, and the forest department’s team is keeping them under special watch.
Union Minister and Chief Minister congratulate
Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav shared the happy news on social media and described it as a historic moment for Project Cheetah. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav also congratulated the Kuno cheetah family, calling it a proud moment for the state and the entire nation.
It is worth noting that cubs have been born steadily at Kuno under the reintroduction programme, gradually stabilising the population of a species that had vanished from Indian soil, one litter at a time.
Source: Patrika; ANI via Awaz The Voice; mid-day
