2 hrs ago
Five Cubs Born at Kuno Mark Botswana Cheetah Lineage
Five baby cheetahs were born at Kuno National Park in India.
Their mother, KJP21, was born in India and is 32 months old.
Their father is a cheetah brought from Botswana.
The cubs are the first born in India from this Botswana lineage.
Their birth brings India's total cheetah population to 60.
Of those, 41 were born in India.
KJP21 is the third India-born female cheetah to have cubs.
Officials say the new cubs are an important step for Project Cheetah, and they will be watched as they grow.
KJP21, a 32-month-old female cheetah born in India, gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park.
The birth brings India's cheetah population to 60, including 41 born in the country.
KJP21 is the third India-born female cheetah reported to have given birth, after Mukhi and KGP12.
The cubs' father is a male cheetah brought to India from Botswana, marking the start of the Botswana lineage among cheetahs born in India.
Officials described the birth as a milestone for Project Cheetah and said the cubs would be monitored.
- Who
- KJP21, an Indian-born female cheetah, and five cubs fathered by a male cheetah brought from Botswana.
- What
- KJP21 gave birth to five cubs, bringing India's cheetah population to 60, including 41 born in the country.
- Where
- Kuno National Park, Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- When
- Monday, October 5, 2026.
- Why
- The birth is viewed as a milestone in Project Cheetah and marks the beginning of the Botswana lineage among cheetahs born in India.
Key facts
- Mother
- KJP21, a 32-month-old female born in India
- Number of cubs
- Five
- Cheetah population in India
- 60
- Born in India
- 41 cheetahs
- Father's origin
- Botswana; he was brought to India
- KJP21's place among reproducing Indian-born females
- Third, after Mukhi and KGP12
- Location
- Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Quotes
Government statement
Statement issued by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
“Thus, the birth of these cubs marks the beginning of the Botswana lineage in India, adding a new genetic lineage to the country’s growing cheetah population. The birth of another generation of cheetahs on Indian soil marks another glorious chapter in the remarkable journey of Project Cheetah.”
theprint.in
“KJP21, a female cheetah born in India, has given birth to five healthy cubs. Their birth has sparked an outpouring of joy in the area. With this, the total number of cheetahs in India has now increased to 60, including 41 born on Indian soil.”
theprint.in
Sources
Indian-Born Cheetah KJP21 Gives Birth To 5 Cubs At Kuno National Park; India's Cheetah Population Reaches 60 | VIDEO
Father from Botswana, mother from India: 5 cheetah cubs at Kuno usher in new lineage
Five cubs born in Kuno National Park take India's cheetah population to 60
Indian-born cheetah gives birth to 5 cubs in MP’s Kuno; marks beginning of Botswana lineage
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