Cheetah ‘Gamini’  gave birth to five cubs in Madhya Prdesh’s Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday,  taking the total count of the big cats in the country to 26.

The announcement was made by Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, who took to his official X account and said, “High Five, Kuno! Female cheetah Gamini, aged about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today.”

He further said that the number of cheetah cubs born in India now stands at 13.

Yadav also informed that this is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and that the first litter of cheetahs were brought from South Africa.

“Congratulations to all, especially the team of forest officers, vets, and field staff who have ensured a stress-free environment for cheetahs, which has led to successful mating and birth of the cubs. The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park, is 26. Gamini’s legacy leaps forward: Introducing her adorable cubs,” the minister added.

Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17 in 2022. In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa. Gamini is part of the group brought from South Africa.