Five cheetah cubs were born to Aasha, a Namibian cheetah, at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on February 7, 2026. This new litter brings India's total cheetah population to 35, including 24 cubs born in India and 11 adults moved from Africa. Currently, three adult cheetahs live in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur and Neemuch districts. “Kuno welcomes the birth of five cubs. Aasha’s legacy leaps forward — India welcomes her five adorable cubs! A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha, the Namibian cheetah and a proud second-time mother, gave birth to five cubs on February 7, 2026 at Kuno National Park,” said Mr. Bhupender Yadav on X. He also shared a video of the cubs and noted this is the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil, a milestone in India’s cheetah conservation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav praised the hard work of the state’s forest staff and veterinarians. “With this, the number of Indian-born cubs rises to 24 and the total cheetah population reaches 35. This achievement reflects the tireless dedication of our forest staff and veterinarians. The state is emerging as an epicentre for wildlife conservation,” he said on X. Project Cheetah began on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Modi released eight cheetahs from Namibia at Kuno. Later, 12 more cheetahs from South Africa were introduced to the park. The cheetah had become extinct in India in 1952. Since the program started, 21 cheetahs—nine translocated adults and 12 cubs born in India—have died at Kuno due to various reasons.