Mukhi, India’s First Wild-Born Cheetah, Turns 30 Months Old Tomorrow
By Snehil Singh | Sep 28, 2025, 05:30 pm
Mukhi, a female cheetah born at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, India, will turn 30 months old on Monday. She is one of the first cheetahs born in the wild under Project Cheetah, a pioneering reintroduction initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The project aims to bring African cheetahs back to Indian habitats after their extinction in 1952.
Project Update: Bringing Cheetahs Back to India
Under Project Cheetah, the journey began with the release of eight Namibian cheetahs into Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022. This initial phase was followed by the introduction of 12 South African cheetahs in February 2023. Despite facing challenges—including the unfortunate death of nine imported adult cheetahs and 10 cubs born in India due to various reasons—the project has recorded a net increase of seven cheetahs over the past three years.
Population Growth and Survival Rates
Currently, India is home to 27 cheetahs, with 16 born within the country. Most of these big cats are housed at Kuno National Park, while three reside at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Notably, the cub survival rate at Kuno stands at an impressive 61%, which is significantly higher than the global average of 40%. Project officials have hailed this as a major success, highlighting the successful breeding as clear evidence that the cheetahs are adapting well to Indian conditions.
Looking Ahead: More Cheetahs to Arrive Soon
India continues to strengthen ties with African nations to import more cheetahs. A new group from Botswana is expected to arrive as early as December 2025, with Namibia also being considered for future batches.
Despite initial hurdles, Project Cheetah has effectively navigated the complexities of transcontinental animal transfer and remains focused on boosting the cheetah population in India. The project stands as a beacon of hope for restoring this majestic species to its historic range in the country.