India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme will achieve a landmark milestone as Mukhi, a female cheetah born in India, becomes the first India-born cub to reach adulthood. On Monday, September 30, 2025, Mukhi will turn 915 days old, symbolizing the programme’s first successful transition from birth to maturity — a key step toward establishing a self-sustaining cheetah population. Born to Namibian cheetah Jwala at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Mukhi’s survival is being hailed as a significant breakthrough amid concerns over high cub mortality and challenges in habitat adaptation.
Project Cheetah: A Quick Recap
Origins and Goals
- Project Cheetah was launched on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs from Namibia into Kuno National Park.
- It was the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore with the objective of reintroducing cheetahs to India — over 70 years after their extinction in the country.
- In February 2023, 12 more cheetahs arrived from South Africa, taking the total number of imported cheetahs to 20.
Mukhi’s Journey to Adulthood
A Story of Survival
- Mukhi was one of four cubs born to Jwala on March 29, 2023. Tragically, three of her siblings died due to extreme summer heat, a recurring threat in India’s wildlife conservation efforts.
- However, Mukhi not only survived but thrived — adapting to local conditions and reaching adulthood.
- According to Project Director Uttam Kumar Sharma, Mukhi’s development marks an encouraging milestone and strengthens confidence in India’s long-term cheetah strategy.
Statistics and Status: Where India Stands
As of September 2025,
- 27 cheetahs are part of the Indian population
- 16 of these were born in India
- 19 cheetahs have died (9 imported adults and 10 India-born cubs)
- 24 cheetahs remain at Kuno, with 3 relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kuno’s cub survival rate exceeds 61%, surpassing the global average of 40%
These figures highlight that while mortality has been a concern, the net increase in population and high survival rate among cubs are signs of progress.
Key Takeaway
- Mukhi, a female cheetah born at Kuno National Park on March 29, 2023, has become the first India-born cheetah to reach adulthood
- Its marking a key milestone in Project Cheetah, launched in September 2022.
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