**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced the birth of three cheetah cubs at Kuno National Park on February 18, 2026. The cubs were born to Gamini, a South African cheetah. This birth marks the ninth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil and increases the total number of surviving Indian-born cheetah cubs to 27, bringing India's total cheetah population to 38.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Cheetah Birth Announcement:**
* Three cheetah cubs were born at Kuno National Park to Gamini, a South African cheetah.
* The birth celebrates the three-year anniversary of the arrival of cheetahs from South Africa to India.
* **Impact on Cheetah Population:**
* This is the ninth successful cheetah litter recorded on Indian soil.
* The number of surviving Indian-born cheetah cubs has risen to 27.
* India's total cheetah population is now 38.
* **Project Cheetah:**
* Each successful birth strengthens Project Cheetah.
* The births reflect the dedication of field staff and veterinary teams involved in the program.
* The world's first inter-continental translocation of a large carnivore successfully completed with 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa coming to India in 2022-23.
* Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi personally released the first eight cheetahs on 17 September 2022.
**Impact Analysis**
**Kuno National Park and Field Staff:**
* **Impact:** The birth of cheetah cubs at Kuno National Park is a positive development, demonstrating the success of conservation efforts. The achievement reflects the ongoing efforts and dedication of the field staff and veterinary teams.
* **Action Required:** Continue their efforts in monitoring and caring for the cheetah population and ensuring the success of Project Cheetah.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:**
* **Impact:** The successful birth of cheetah cubs at Kuno National Park validates the Ministry's conservation efforts.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting Project Cheetah.
**India**
* **Impact**: Strengthens India's revival of cheetahs.
* **Action Required**: Continue commitment to cheetahs.
Key Entities Referenced
Project Cheetah: An initiative focused on cheetah reintroduction in India.
Kuno National Park: Location where cheetahs are being reintroduced and are reproducing.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The primary government body overseeing the cheetah reintroduction project.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Union Environment Minister Announces Birth of
Three Cheetah Cubs at Kuno National Park
Number of Surviving India-Born Cheetah Cubs Rises to 27;
Total Population at 38
Posted On: 18 FEB 2026 11:01AM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav today announced that
Kuno National Park has recorded the birth of three cheetah cubs.
In a social media post on ‘X’, Shri Yadav stated that the cubs were born to Gamini, a South African
cheetah and a second-time mother. The birth has taken place on the occasion of completion of three years
since the arrival of cheetahs from South Africa in India.
Another good news from Kuno🐆🌿
Kuno welcomes three new cubs - A roaring new chapter at Kuno on the occasion
of completion of 3 years of arrival of cheetahs from South Africa.
Celebrations echo through Kuno National Park as Gamini, the South African
cheetah and second-time… pic.twitter.com/JpqnfXlpYl
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 18, 2026
With this, the ninth successful cheetah litter has been recorded on Indian soil. The number of surviving
Indian-born cheetah cubs has now increased to 27. Following the birth of these cubs, India’s total cheetah
population has reached 38.
The Minister said that each successful birth strengthens Project Cheetah and reflects the continuous efforts
and dedication of the field staff and veterinary teams engaged in the programme.
“A moment of pride for Kuno, and for India – may Gamini and her three little sprinters grow strong and
carry the nation’s cheetah revival story forward with speed and grace,” Shri Yadav said.
World’s first inter-continental translocation of a large carnivore successfully completed with 20 cheetahs
from Namibia and South Africa coming to India in 2022-23.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi personally released the first eight cheetahs on 17 September 2022.
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