Baby boom at Kuno: India’s cheetah population grows to 38 as ‘Gamini’ becomes mother for second time
Cheetah Gamini, originally translocated from South Africa, gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
This is Gamini's second litter in India and the ninth successful cheetah birth since Project Cheetah began in September 2022.
India's total cheetah population is now 38, including 27 cubs born on Indian soil and 11 translocated adults from African countries.
The birth was announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on the occasion of the third anniversary of the arrival of South African cheetahs.
Earlier in February, cheetah Aasha had also given birth to five cubs at KNP, marking a notable breeding surge.
Wildlife Population Viability and Minimum Viable Population
A key concern in any species reintroduction programme is whether the population can reach a Minimum Viable Population (MVP) -- the smallest number of individuals that can sustain itself genetically and demographically over the long term without external intervention.
Key Details
- Conservation biologists generally consider an MVP of 50 individuals necessary to avoid inbreeding depression in the short term, and 500 for long-term evolutionary potential (the 50/500 rule).
- India's current cheetah population of 38 remains below even the short-term threshold, making continued breeding and additional translocations essential.
- Genetic diversity is being managed through sourcing cheetahs from multiple African countries (Namibia, South Africa, and soon Botswana).
- Cheetahs already have unusually low genetic diversity globally due to a population bottleneck roughly 10,000 years ago.
The "baby boom" at Kuno -- with two litters and eight cubs in a single month -- is encouraging, but the population of 38 remains well below MVP thresholds. The arrival of eight more cheetahs from Botswana later this month will help diversify the gene pool.
Ex-situ vs In-situ Conservation Approaches
Project Cheetah represents a transition from ex-situ sourcing (capturing and translocating animals from one habitat) to in-situ conservation (establishing self-sustaining wild populations in their natural or restored habitat).
Key Details
- Ex-situ conservation includes zoos, captive breeding programmes, and seed banks; in-situ conservation involves protecting species in their natural habitats through National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves.
- Project Cheetah combines both approaches: translocated adults (ex-situ source) are managed in enclosures before release into the wild (in-situ goal).
- India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Biodiversity Act, 2002, provide the legal framework for both approaches.
- The NTCA oversees the project, applying institutional expertise from Project Tiger to a different large carnivore.
Gamini's successful breeding in the wild at KNP demonstrates that the in-situ phase of the project is progressing. The transition from managed enclosures to free-ranging breeding populations is the ultimate test of the programme's success.
- Total cheetah population in India: 38 (as of 18 February 2026)
- India-born cubs: 27; translocated adults: 11
- Ninth successful litter since Project Cheetah launch (September 2022)
- Minimum Viable Population short-term threshold: 50 individuals (50/500 rule)
- Cheetah global IUCN status: Vulnerable; Asiatic cheetah: Critically Endangered (fewer than 12 in Iran)
- Kuno National Park: Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh, approximately 748 sq km
- Third batch of 8 cheetahs from Botswana expected on 28 February 2026