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Cheetah Reintroduction in India

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Three cubs born to Namibian cheetah Aasha in MP's Kuno National Park

Bhopal: Namibian cheetah Aasha has given birth to three cubs at the Kuno National Park (KNP) located in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, a Union minister said on Wednesday.

"Purrs in the wild! Thrilled to share that Kuno National Park has welcomed three new members. The cubs have been born to Namibian Cheetah Aasha," Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on social media platform X.

He termed the development "a roaring success for Project Cheetah, envisioned by PM Narendra Modi to restore ecological balance".

"My big congrats to all experts involved in the project, the Kuno wildlife officials, and wildlife enthusiasts across India," Yadav said in the post.

In March 2023, Siyaya, who was later renamed as Jwala, had given birth to four cubs, but only one of them survived. Jwala was also translocated to the KNP from Namibia.

https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/india/madhya-pradesh/three-cubs-born-to-namibian-cheetah-aasha-in-mps-kuno-national-park-2833996
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Double Delight: Kuno Celebrates Arrival Of Six Cubs In 25 Days — Cheetha Jwala Delivers Three Cubs

Mere 25 days after cheetah Aasha welcomed three new members into the Kuno family, the wildlife sanctuary in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh is rejoicing once again as another Cheetah Jwala, introduces three adorable cubs into the world.

This momentous occasion aligns with the auspicious arrival of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, marking the arrival of these "Three little sparks of speed" into the ever-growing family of Kuno National Park, ushering in a new chapter of vitality and excitement within the sanctuary, as confirmed by an official statement. 

This development is a significant milestone for India's conservation efforts, building on the recent birth of 'Aasha's' robust litter of cubs inside Kuno. Fathered by wanderer cheetah Pawan ‘Oban,’

The news has reignited hopes for the resurgence of cheetahs within the Indian ecosystem. Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF), Bhupendra Yadav, tweeted his congratulations to wildlife enthusiasts nationwide, expressing optimism for the thriving wildlife in Bharat.

Director General Forest C P Goyal also shared his happiness, acknowledging the efforts of those involved in this unique conservation project. The six cubs stand as a beacon of hope for the restoration of the cheetah population in India, with authorities closely monitoring their growth and development in a secure environment.

However, the journey to this success was not without challenges. In May 2023, Project Cheetah faced a setback when three of four cubs born to Jwala succumbed to scorching temperatures, reaching up to 46-47 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the summer season. Despite their best efforts, three cubs could not be saved, and only one survived.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) responded to the incident by forming a "Cheetah Project Steering Committee" to review the project's progress, explore eco-tourism opportunities, and gather suggestions on community involvement.

In September 2022, the nation witnessed the arrival of three female cheetahs from Namibia, including the spirited Jwala. In March 2023, Jwala's vigilant behavior led to the discovery of a den containing four historic cheetah cubs, the first born on Indian soil in 75 years. 


Unfortunately, the harsh summer conditions claimed three lives, leaving a single cub as a testament to the unwavering commitment to conserving India's cheetah population.

https://m.timesofindia.com/india/three-cubs-born-to-namibian-cheetah-jwala-at-kuno-national-park-in-madhya-pradesh/amp_articleshow/107067649.cms
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Cheetah Jwala gave birth to four, not three cubs in MP's Kuno National Park

Namibian cheetah Jwala has given birth to four cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh and not three, as reported previously, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Wednesday.

The births, first reported on Tuesday, came just weeks after three cubs were born to another Namibian cheetah, Aasha.

Yadav said in a post on X, "Wildlife wonders! As frontline wildlife warriors managed to get closer to Jwala, they found she has given birth to four, not three, cubs. This has increased our joy several times over. Congratulations all. We pray the cubs thrive and prosper at their home in India."

According to officials, the cubs were born to Jwala on January 20.

This is Jwala's second litter and comes after a gap of 10 months.

Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs last March. Three of the cubs succumbed to extreme heat while the sole survivor is being raised under human care for future wilding.

Yadav had on January 3 also shared information about the birth of three cubs to Aasha. 

The recent births have taken the number of cubs at the Kuno National Park to eight at present, with seven being born this month.
The total number of cheetahs at the Kuno National Park currently stands at 21 (six males, seven females and eight cubs).

This has been a mixed month for India's cheetah project. While January recorded the birth of seven cubs, it also witnessed the the death of Shaurya -- an adult Namibian cheetah -- on January 16.

https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/india/madhya-pradesh/cheetah-jwala-gave-birth-to-four-not-three-cubs-in-mps-kuno-national-park-2862101?fbclid=IwAR2XxMLfIfOGlmJo78nvHAj7AhZkIshF7ftkPzDrZTvcrXeiOIlbFWmKd1g_aem_AdwVBWcfwSmeZgkpA3rMMiCI9FppvRDYBrW0XP0cyF25SmQCbPJNDPmIYoUaBLXKGDs
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90 per cent ready: Wildlife experts from South Africa to review preparations for Cheetah's second home in India in February


A South African delegation, including wildlife experts, will arrive in February to assess the conditions at Madhya Pradesh's Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary which is slated to become the second home of cheetahs in India, officials said on Thursday.

They also said the two female Namibian cheetahs who recently gave birth to a total of seven cubs will be released in the wild only when the weather conditions improve. An official said that a South African delegation will visit India in February for an assessment of the preparations at the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

"Thereafter, a call on bringing the next batch of cheetahs will be taken," the official said. SP Yadav, Additional Director General of Forests at the Environment Ministry, had earlier told PTI that the next batch of cheetahs will be imported from South Africa and introduced into the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Another official told the news agency that 90 per cent of the work to prepare the wildlife sanctuary for cheetahs has been completed.

Gandhi Sagar is about a six-hour drive from Kuno. It is spread across 368 square kilometres and has an additional 2,500 sq km area surrounding it.

The official quoted above also said the mother cheetahs and their cubs will not be released into the wild until weather conditions in the Kuno National Park improve.

Officials reported on Tuesday that Namibian cheetah Jwala gave birth to four cubs on January 20. In early January, another Namibian cheetah, Asha, gave birth to three cubs.

This is Jwala's second litter and comes after a gap of 10 months.

The officials said that compared to other female cheetahs, Jwala is a wilder animal. She avoids humans and remains alert even when resting, a typical cheetah behaviour of remaining careful of bigger and stronger predators all the time.

Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs last March. Three of the cubs succumbed to extreme heat while the sole survivor is being raised under human care for future wilding.

The official said the mother cheetahs and their cubs are being kept in larger enclosures to avoid extreme weather and for better monitoring, which is difficult in the wild.

"We will release them in the wild as soon as weather conditions improve," the official said.

The recent births have taken the number of cubs at the Kuno National Park to eight at present, with seven being born this month.

The total number of cheetahs at the Kuno National Park currently stands at 21 (six males, seven females and eight cubs).

While January recorded the birth of seven cubs, it also witnessed the death of Shaurya -- an adult Namibian cheetah -- on January 16.

Officials said they do not know the reason for Shaurya's death as they have not yet received his post-mortem report.

Since last March, seven adult cheetahs, including Shaurya, have died due to various reasons.

The seven adult cheetahs -- three females and four males -- that died include Sasha, Uday, Daksha, Tejas, Suraj, Dhatri and Shaurya. The first six fatalities occurred in a six-month period between March and August 2023.

Jwala and Aasha are among the cheetahs translocated to India from Namibia under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Project Cheetah, aimed at re-introducing the only large carnivore species that went extinct in independent India.

The first batch of eight cheetahs was introduced in India in September 2022. The second batch of 12 cheetahs was flown in from South Africa last February.

The much-vaunted cheetah conservation project, however, has drawn sharp criticism over the animals' deaths.

According to officials, one of the biggest challenges faced in the first year of managing the cheetahs in India was the unexpected development of winter coats by some of the animals during the Indian summer and monsoon, in anticipation of the African winter (June to September).

The winter coat, combined with high humidity and temperatures, caused itching, prompting the animals to scratch their necks on tree trunks or the ground. This led to bruising and exposing the skin, where flies laid eggs, resulting in maggot infestations and, ultimately, bacterial infections and septicemia, leading to the deaths of three cheetahs, an official explained.

India plans to import cheetahs that do not develop thicker winter coats, Yadav said earlier.

For the cheetahs already in Kuno, he said the plan is to administer prophylactic medicine before the arrival of monsoon to prevent infection. The project's focus in its second year would be on breeding these animals, he added. 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/india/90-per-cent-ready-wildlife-experts-from-south-africa-to-review-preparations-for-cheetahs-second-home-in-india-gandhi-sagar-wildlife-sanctuary/cid/1996144?fbclid=IwAR067XjAyOP0fwCTDpD1-4qC7q3DRsOMUhB3-UN8a9UKk9q5SUkemtQfIAs
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At Banni, Special Mating Zones For Choosy Cheetahs

The Gujarat forest department has begun laying the ground on a war footing for India's first cheetah conservation breeding centre coming up in Banni Grasslands Reserve, a protected forest in the southern end of the state's Kutch district. 

Spread over 500 hectares, this will be India's first facility for big cats where special open-to-air isolation enclosures are being built to create an environment conducive to the cheetah's natural courtship and mating behaviour.

The isolation chambers at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, also home to cheetahs in India, are quarantine facilities for the big cats arriving from Africa, and not mating areas, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) officials said.

To achieve a higher success rate, separating males from the females is important, say conservationists. A senior forest officer said cheetah breeding for conservation involves detailed study and extreme precaution as these animals display peculiar behaviour in choosing their mates. "And since the Banni facility is a conservation breeding centre, we need to go the extra mile to see success."

Banni reserve goes the extra mile on cheetah breeding

Sandeep Kumar, chief conservator of forests, who is the project in charge, said, “After a detailed study of cheetah behaviour, the forest department is readying three enclosures, all open to air and each spread over 120sq m. One will house males, the second will have females while in the third, a pair that has come close to each other, will be isolated for natural breeding.”

Although fenced, these enclosures will be interconnected to facilitate free cheetah movement.

A team will closely monitor the separate enclosures to identify pairs getting attracted and facilitate their isolation with minimal or zero intervention. Under the Rs 20.5 crore Union govt project overseen by NTCA, Gujarat has received Rs 3 crore from the Rs 6.5 crore disbursed so far. Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, Nityanand Srivastava said, “The funds have started arriving and work has begun. We hope to bring cheetahs to Gujarat early next year.” 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/indias-first-cheetah-conservation-breeding-centre-in-banni-grasslands-reserve/amp_articleshow/108151053.cms 
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Cheetah Gamini gives birth to five cubs at MP's Kuno National Park; big cat count rises to 26

Cheetah 'Gamini' on Sunday gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, taking the total number of the big cats in the country to 26, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said.

The number of cheetah cubs born in India now stands at 13, the minister added. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa, Yadav informed.

"Congratulations to all, especially the team of forest officers, vets, and field staff who have ensured an stress-free environment for cheetahs, which has led to successful mating and birth of the cubs. The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park, is 26. Gamini's legacy leaps forward: Introducing her adorable cubs," the Union Minister stated.

Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17, 2022. In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa. Gamini is part of the group brought from South Africa.


https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/cheetah-gamini-gives-birth-to-five-cubs-at-mps-kuno-national-park-big-cat-count-rises-to-26/amp_articleshow/108369398.cms
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Not 5, But 6 Cubs Born to Cheetah Gamini At MP's Kuno Park, Confirms Union Minister Bhupender Yadav

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday said the African cheetah ‘Gamini’ had given birth to six cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, and not five as reported previously.

On March 10, Yadav shared that the five-year-old South African cheetah gave birth to five cubs at the Kuno National Park (KNP). 

In a post on his official X account on Monday morning, Yadav said, “Gamini’s legacy leaps forward! There is no end to joy: It is not five, but six cubs! A week after the news of five cubs born to Gamini, it is now confirmed that Gamini, the South African cheetah mother, has given birth to six cubs, a record of sorts for a first-time mother."

The minister also shared the visuals of cheetah Gamini’s six cubs from the Kuno Park

With this, the cheetah count at the KNP has increased to 27, including 14 cubs.
In March last year, cheetah Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs but only one managed to survive. Jwala gave birth to her second litter of four cubs in January this year, which was followed by cheetah Aasha delivering three cubs. 

Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released into enclosures at the KNP on September 17 in 2022.

In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa. Gamini is part of the group brought from South Africa. 

https://www.news18.com/amp/india/kuno-park-cheetah-gamini-gives-birth-to-6-cubs-union-environment-minister-bhupender-yadav-8819579.html
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