Cheetah Asha’s 8-Month-Old Cub Found Dead at Kuno, India’s Population Falls to 59

An eight-month-old cub of Namibian cheetah Asha was found dead at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park on Monday after going missing during morning monitoring, reducing India’s cheetah population to 59, including 41 born in the country.

Forest officials launched a search after spotting Asha with four of her five cubs during routine monitoring. The missing cub was subsequently found dead, the Field Director of Project Cheetah at Kuno said.

The cause of death has not yet been established. Officials said the reason would be known after the post-mortem report is received.

Kuno’s Cheetah Population Falls to 53

The cub’s death has reduced Kuno National Park’s cheetah population to 53, including 40 animals born in India.

Of these, 15 cheetahs are currently roaming freely in the wild, while the others remain in enclosures or under monitoring.

Forest officials said monitoring of Asha and her four surviving cubs would continue following the incident.

The latest death comes as India continues efforts to establish a self-sustaining cheetah population under Project Cheetah, which has recorded births in the country alongside the loss of adult and young animals since its launch.

Asha’s Five-Cub Litter Was a Key Development

Asha gave birth to five cubs around eight months ago. The litter marked a significant development for the reintroduction programme, which aims to restore cheetahs to India after the species was declared extinct in the country in 1952.

The latest loss highlights the challenges facing the programme as authorities work to help the animals survive and breed under Indian conditions.

Project Cheetah Began in 2022

India launched Project Cheetah in September 2022 by bringing eight cheetahs from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh.

Another 12 cheetahs arrived from South Africa in February 2023 as part of efforts to restore the species to its historical range.

The programme involves international cooperation with African countries and requires sustained habitat management, adequate prey, veterinary care and scientific monitoring.

Madhya Pradesh Houses All 59 Cheetahs

Besides Kuno National Park, four cheetahs are currently housed at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and two at Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

With the latest death, Madhya Pradesh’s total cheetah population stands at 59, including 41 animals born in India.

Officials are continuing to monitor the surviving animals as the reintroduction programme progresses.