Cheetah Gamini gives birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park; big cat count rises to 26

This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa, Yadav informed.

Bhopal:There is good news again from Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, a female cheetah named Gamini gave birth to 5 cubs reportedly on Sunday there. With the birth, total headcount is now 26 including 13 cubs and 13 adults.

Union forest minister Bhupendra Yadav while expressing happiness over social media X account also shared this information. Yadav posted, High five, Kuno!. Female cheetah Gamini, aged about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today.

This takes the tally of the Indian born cubs to 13. This is the 4^th cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa.

Congratulations to all, especially the team of forest officers, vets, and field staff who have ensured us a stress-free environment for cheetahs, which has led to successful mating and birth of the cubs, added Yadav. The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park (KNP) is 26.

Gamini’s legacy leaps forward: introducing her adorable cubs!

PCCF and HoFF Aseem Shrivastava informed that the condition of all 5 newly born cubs was good along with the mother. It is a very encouraging sign/development which is also an indicator that adult female cheetahs have adapted to local conditions, acclimatisation, and mating. The survival ration however is set to improve, he added.

Meanwhile sources disclosed the summer season for bringing up of newly born cubs during summer season will be a tough challenge which is followed by monsoon season. Remember some of the cheetah’s casualties took place during monsoon season amid skin infection etc. So, field staff are on their toes to ensure proper care including water, prescribed diet charts etc to animals. Presently only 2 cheetahs including one male and one female are released in forest while 11 adults are in enclosure. Besides, cubs are also inside the enclosure, told sources. Out of 13 adults, 6 are male and 7 female cheetahs.      

The KNP is spread over 1200 sq km with animal cheetahs (adults) carrying a capacity of 20 to 21 at present. Meanwhile the forest department has plans to expand the KNP area/base further by adding another 600 sq km area into its fold. The proposal has been prepared and forwarded to the ministry for approval. Once the proposal is approved the cheetah action plan will have to be re-worked again. Everything including relocation of villages etc if required will be carried out in phases.