Mukhi – First India-Born Cheetah to Reproduce at Kuno

In a major milestone for Project Cheetah, an India-born female cheetah named Mukhi has given birth to five healthy cubs at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh — marking the first successful reproduction by a cheetah born on Indian soil.

Mukhi’s Background

• Born in March 2023 to the Namibian cheetah Jwala under the world’s first inter-continental cheetah translocation project.
• She was the only survivor of a four-cub litter; the others died during extreme heat.
• Mukhi was hand-reared by park officials, showcasing dedicated wildlife management and care.

Significance

• A litter of five cubs is unusually large for cheetahs.
• This boosts genetic diversity, enhances the long-term sustainability of the cheetah population in India, and reflects positive early outcomes for the project.

Monitoring & Health

• Mukhi and her cubs are being monitored 24×7 using radio collars and camera traps.
• Authorities report all animals to be in excellent health.

About Project Cheetah

• Launched on 17 September 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs to India (species declared extinct in 1952).
• India imported 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa.
• The project aims to restore the cheetah to its historical range and revive ecological balance.

Source: DD News