Cheetah 'Gamini' has given birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, raising the total number of cheetahs in India to 38, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Mr. Yadav called this a "roaring" success of the government’s cheetah re-introduction programme. Gamini was brought from South Africa as part of the project launched in September 2022 to bring back these big cats, which had gone extinct in India decades ago. "Kuno welcomes three new cubs — A roaring new chapter at Kuno on the occasion of completion of 3 years of arrival of cheetahs from South Africa. Celebrations echo through Kuno National Park as Gamini, the South African cheetah and second-time mother, has brought 3 new cubs into the world," he said on X. This birth is the ninth successful litter of cheetahs in India and takes the number of surviving Indian-born cubs to 27. The minister added that each cub strengthens Project Cheetah and shows the dedication of the field staff and veterinary teams. "A moment of pride for Kuno, and for India — may Gamini and her three little sprinters grow strong and carry the nation’s cheetah revival story forward with speed and grace," Mr. Yadav said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav noted that the state is a key centre for cheetah reintroduction. He called it a historic achievement for wildlife conservation and biodiversity. "With the completion of three years of cheetahs’ arrival at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, this is the 9th successful birth. The total number of cheetahs in India has now increased to 38," he said on X. Earlier this month, another cheetah named Aasha from Namibia gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park, adding to the success of the project.