India’s cheetah population reaches 52
New Delhi, September 17: India’s cheetah population has increased to 52, including 32 cheetahs born in the country, according to the four-year status review of the cheetah reintroduction programme; Of the total population, 49 cheetahs are currently in Kuno National Park, while three are in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
The report, titled “Four Years of Cheetahs in India – A Status Review (September 17, 2022–September 17, 2026),” was released by Kuno National Park.
Namibia and South Africa contributed to population growth
According to the review, three of the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia in September 2022 are currently surviving, along with 22 Indian-born offspring. Together, they account for 25 surviving Namibian-origin cheetahs and their progeny.
Eight of the 12 cheetahs introduced from South Africa in February 2023 are still surviving. They have since produced 10 cubs in India, taking the South African-origin population and its offspring to 18. Fifteen are in Kuno National Park and three in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, nine cheetahs from Botswana were introduced in February 2026.
17 cheetahs currently in the wild at Kuno
The review said that of the 49 cheetahs in Kuno, 17 are currently in the wild, comprising 10 males and seven females. The remaining 32 are housed in Soft Release Bomas. They include five males, eight females and 19 cubs below one year of age.
Programme enters consolidation phase
Kuno National Park said the establishment of breeding females and the survival of second-generation cubs mark an important phase in the programme. The first year involved learning, adaptation, setbacks and recovery. The second year saw successful breeding, with 13 cubs surviving for more than a year.
During the third year, cheetahs were released into the wild and monitored across an inter-state landscape covering 12 districts. The fourth year has been described as a phase of establishment, with cheetahs showing natural ecological behaviour and the programme moving towards expansion to additional sites. The focus is now increasingly shifting from protecting introduced cheetahs to ensuring that India-born generations survive and establish themselves in the wild.
