Archive · 19 Sep 2026
India-Born Cheetah Gives Birth to Four Cubs at Kuno
A cheetah named KGP12 has had four babies at Kuno National Park in India.
KGP12 was born in India to cheetahs brought from South Africa.
She was also conceived in the wild at Kuno.
The new cubs bring India’s total cheetah population to 56.
Thirty-six of these cheetahs were born in India.
KGP12 had four cubs earlier this year, but they died after a suspected leopard attack.
The new cubs were reported to be healthy.
Officials say the birth is an important sign that the cheetah conservation programme is making progress.
It also shows that cheetahs born in India are beginning to have cubs of their own.
KGP12, an India-born female cheetah, gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
The births increased India’s cheetah population from 52 to 56, including 36 born in India.
KGP12 is the daughter of South African cheetahs Gamini and Pawak and was conceived in the wild at Kuno.
The birth came one day after Project Cheetah completed four years in India.
Officials described the event as a milestone showing Kuno’s potential for cheetah breeding and conservation.
- Who
- KGP12, an India-born female cheetah and daughter of Gamini and Pawak, gave birth to four cubs.
- What
- Four cubs were born, raising India’s cheetah population to 56, including 36 India-born cheetahs.
- When
- Friday, September 18, 2026, one day after Project Cheetah completed four years in India.
- Where
- Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- The birth is significant because KGP12 was herself born through the reintroduction programme, marking successive generations of cheetahs born in India.
- Mother
- KGP12, an India-born female cheetah
- Cubs born
- Four healthy cubs
- India’s cheetah population
- 56, including 36 India-born cheetahs
- Parentage
- KGP12 is the daughter of South African cheetahs Gamini and Pawak
- Previous litter
- KGP12 lost all four cubs from her first litter in April 2026 after a suspected leopard attack
- Programme milestone
- Project Cheetah completed four years in India one day before the birth
- Reintroduction start
- Eight cheetahs from Namibia were released at Kuno on September 17, 2022
- Historical context
- Cheetahs were officially declared extinct in India in 1952
Sources
A milestone at Kuno: Cheetah born to South African feline now has four cubs of its own
Day After Completion Of 4 Years Of Cheetah Project, Indian Born Cheetah KGP 12 Gives Birth To 4 Cubs At Kuno National Park
India-Born Cheetah Gives Birth To Four Cubs In Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park | VIDEO
