India’s Cheetah Population Rises To 53

In March 2026, India’s cheetah population increased to 53 after a Namibian cheetah named Jwala gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, under the ongoing Project Cheetah initiative.

Key Points

10th Successful Litter: The development marks the 10th successful cheetah litter born on Indian soil since the launch of Project Cheetah.
33 Indian-Born Cubs: With this litter, the total number of cheetah cubs born in India has reached 33.
New Cheetahs From Botswana: On 28^th February 2026, nine cheetahs (six females and three males) from Botswana were placed in quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park for acclimatisation and health monitoring.
Project Cheetah Objective: The project aims to reintroduce cheetahs in India to restore ecological balance and revive the species in its former habitats.