India’s cheetah population rises to 52 as Project Cheetah completes 4 years

India’s cheetah population has risen to 52, including 32 cubs born in the country, as Project Cheetah completes four years.

Officials said the survival of cubs, breeding success and expansion of the animals into open forest areas are key milestones of the programme.

The project began on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight wild cheetahs from Namibia into special enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The next phase of the cheetah restoration programme involves expanding suitable habitat for cheetahs and establishing a comprehensive, long-term cheetah meta-population in India, officials said on September 18, 2026.