Namibian cheetah Aasha gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park

A Namibian cheetah named Aasha gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Saturday on X, calling the development a significant milestone for India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.

With the latest birth, the number of Indian-born surviving cheetah cubs has risen to 24, while the country’s total cheetah population now stands at 35, the minister said.

In a post on X, Yadav described the event as “a moment of immense pride and joy” for Project Cheetah, noting that Aasha—a second-time mother brought from Namibia under the international relocation initiative—delivered the cubs on February 7, 2026. He also shared a video of the newborn cubs from the national park.

The minister said the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil marked an important step in the country’s long-term conservation efforts to restore the species, which had become extinct in India decades ago. He added that the achievement reflected the dedication and hard work of forest staff and veterinary teams involved in the project.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also welcomed the development, congratulating the state forest department and veterinary personnel. In a statement, he said the birth of five healthy cubs strengthened India’s conservation journey and highlighted the state’s growing role as a key centre for wildlife preservation.

Project Cheetah, launched to reintroduce the world’s fastest land animal into Indian habitats, involves the translocation of cheetahs from African countries such as Namibia and South Africa, with Kuno National Park serving as the primary release site.