South African cheetah Gamini and her five cubs were enjoying the rains at Kuno National Park in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh on Friday morning.
Cheetah Gamini was seen playing with the cubs, who were also playful and frolicking with each other.
Sharing the joyous moment, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in a post on X said, “Together, they weave a timeless tale of family harmony in the embrace of nature’s seasons.”
In the early hours of March 10th, South African cheetah Gamini gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park.
An announcement in this regard was made by Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday.
The total number of cheetah cubs born in India has risen to 13, the Union Minister said.
“High five, Kuno! Gamini, a female cheetah aged about 5 years old brought from Tswalu Kalahari Sanctuary, South Africa, gave birth to five cubs today, taking the total number of cubs born in India to 13. This is the fourth cheetah born in India and the first to be brought from South Africa,” Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X.
He praised the Kuno National Park officials and staff for ensuring a “stress-free environment” for the cheetahs.
“Congratulations to everyone including the team of forest rangers, veterinarians and field staff who ensured a stress-free environment for the cheetahs and led to successful mating and birth of the cubs. The total number of cheetahs in Kuno National Park including cubs is now 26. Gamini has made an outstanding achievement. Let us introduce her adorable cubs!” he said.
Cheetah of Kuno
Earlier this January, Namibian cheetah Jwala gave birth to four cubs in Kuno National Park. Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952 but are set to be reintroduced in 2022 through an ambitious project.
Eight cheetahs brought from Namibia were introduced to India as part of Project Cheetah in 2022. Later, 12 cheetahs were also transported from South Africa and released into Kuno National Park in February 2023.
A cheetah that was transferred from Namibia died in Kuno National Park in January this year. So far, seven adult cheetahs and three cubs born in India have died since March 2023. (ANI)
