Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Project Cheetah Reaches 52 Survivors, Including 32 Born in India
India’s Project Cheetah has been running for four years.
There are now 52 surviving cheetahs connected to the program.
Forty-nine live in Kuno National Park, and three live in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Thirty-two of the cheetahs were born in India.
Seventeen cheetahs in Kuno are living in open forest areas.
Thirty-two others are in special soft-release enclosures, including 19 young cubs.
The cheetahs came from Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Officials say the program has learned from early problems and is progressing.
They now want to create more suitable habitat and a larger cheetah population across India.
However, 23 cheetahs have died since the project began.
Project Cheetah has recorded 52 surviving cheetahs after four years, including 32 born in India.
Kuno National Park holds 49 cheetahs, while three are in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Seventeen cheetahs are roaming in Kuno’s open forest, while 32 remain in soft-release enclosures.
The surviving population includes cheetahs originally brought from Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Officials plan to expand suitable habitat and establish a long-term cheetah meta-population in India, although 23 cheetahs have died.
- Who
- Project Cheetah officials, Indian conservation teams, and cheetahs brought from Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
- What
- The program has recorded 52 surviving cheetahs, including 32 born in India, while 23 cheetahs have died since its launch.
- When
- The project began on September 17, 2022, and reached its four-year milestone on September 17, 2026.
- Where
- Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, India; some cheetahs have also traveled toward Rajasthan and the Uttar Pradesh border.
- Why
- The program aims to restore cheetahs in India by supporting breeding, survival, habitat expansion, and a long-term meta-population.
Conservation Progress
Project Challenges
Overall assessment
Conservation Progress
Officials say the program has overcome early difficulties, achieved breeding and cub survival, and is moving toward a better future.
Project Challenges
The project experienced significant challenges during its first year and has recorded 23 cheetah deaths, including adults and cubs.
Expansion into open areas
Conservation Progress
Seventeen cheetahs are living in Kuno’s open forest, and officials say the animals have gradually adapted to new areas.
Project Challenges
Thirty-two cheetahs, including 19 cubs, remain in soft-release enclosures rather than open forest.
Future strategy
Conservation Progress
Officials plan to expand suitable habitat beyond Kuno and develop a comprehensive, long-term cheetah meta-population in India.
Project Challenges
The need for habitat expansion and monitoring across an interstate landscape shows that the program’s long-term restoration goals are still in progress.
- Total surviving cheetahs
- 52
- Cheetahs in Kuno National Park
- 49
- Cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary
- 3
- India-born cheetahs
- 32
- Cheetahs in open forest
- 17 in Kuno: 10 males and 7 females
- Cheetahs in soft-release enclosures
- 32 in Kuno: 5 males, 8 females, and 19 cubs under one year old
- Deaths since launch
- 23 adults and cubs
