**Mukhi, India’s First Wild-Born Cheetah, Turns 30 Months Old**
*By Snehil Singh | September 28, 2025, 05:30 pm*
Mukhi, a female cheetah born in the wild at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, India, is set to celebrate her 30-month birthday tomorrow. She is one of the first cheetahs born in India as part of **Project Cheetah**, a landmark reintroduction initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project aims to bring African cheetahs back to Indian habitats, following their extinction in the country in 1952.
### Project Cheetah: A Milestone for Wildlife Conservation
Under Project Cheetah, the journey began with the release of eight Namibian cheetahs into Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022. This initial group was followed by the introduction of 12 South African cheetahs in February 2023.
Despite facing challenges — including the unfortunate deaths of nine imported adult cheetahs and ten cubs born in India — the project has recorded a net gain of seven cheetahs over three years. This progress demonstrates the initiative’s resilience and ongoing commitment to restoring the species in the wild.
### Promising Population Growth
Currently, there are 27 cheetahs in India, with 16 of them born on Indian soil. Most of the population resides at Kuno National Park, while three others live at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
An encouraging aspect of the project is the cub survival rate at Kuno, which stands impressively at over 61%. This figure is well above the global average survival rate of 40%, signaling strong adaptation to Indian environmental conditions. Project officials have hailed this success, noting that breeding achievements point to the cheetahs’ positive adjustment to their new habitat.
### Looking Ahead: More Cheetahs to Come
To build on this momentum, India is currently engaged in talks with African nations to import more cheetahs. A new group from Botswana is expected to arrive by December, with Namibia also being considered as a future source for cheetah introductions.
Having successfully navigated the complexities of transcontinental wildlife transfer, Project Cheetah continues its mission to boost the wild cheetah population in India and restore a vital species to the country’s rich biodiversity.
—
*Mukhi’s journey and the overall progress of Project Cheetah mark a significant chapter in India’s conservation efforts, highlighting the possibilities of successful wildlife reintroduction.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/first-india-born-cheetah-set-to-reach-adulthood-in-kuno/story