Amid the cold waves sweeping across most parts of India, there is heartwarming news. Namibian Cheetah Asha, residing in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, has brought a delightful New Year gift for wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and the broader Indian community. The predator has given birth to three cubs, offering hope for the continued growth and sustainability of the species population in the country.

Expressing his excitement, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav posted on social media, “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. This is a roaring success for Project Cheetah, envisioned by PM @narendramodi to restore ecological balance.”

My big congratulations to all experts involved in the project, the Kuno wildlife officials, and wildlife enthusiasts across India, he said about the addition of the three members.

officials remain excited, though cautiously optimistic, keeping their fingers crossed.

“It is incredibly exciting to have achieved this milestone, and we are cautiously optimistic that everything will continue to go well for Asha and her cubs,” said an official from the Union Environment Ministry associated with the Cheetah project.

SP Yadav, Chief of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and also overseeing the ambitious Cheetah reintroduction project in India, said, “It is fantastic news at the beginning of the New Year 2024. We are all delighted with the birth of these cubs! I hope that Asha proves to be a good mother.”

His cautious approach arises from the unpredictable nature of Cheetah mothers. For instance, another female Cheetah known as Jawala, who had given birth to four cubs at the park had started neglecting the surviving one after three died due to extreme heat conditions in May last year. Experts emphasise that the reintroduction plan cannot be deemed a success unless litters reach adulthood and initiate a second generation.”

The Minister’s post on three births has gone viral on X with a stream of advisory and congratulatory comments flowing in.

@Samarthj_4530 said, “What a start to the new year! Please take extra care of them and ensure that all of them reach adulthood. This is a fantastic achievement, congratulations to Kuno management and all the researchers behind this project!.

Similarly, @PrabuddhaManush on his handle said, “Please take extra care. These cubs should not die”, while a netizen named Manoj with handle @mgknair has a word of caution. He posted, “Pls wait for 5 years before declaring it a success. Let the wild survive and thrive. Pls do not jump the gun yet… too early.”

The birth of three cubs marks the second litter of African cheetah cubs born in India since the launch of the ambitious Project Cheetah. To date, eight predators from Namibia and 12 from South Africa have been translocated to Kuno National Park in September 2022 and February 2023, respectively. Last year witnessed three adult Cheetah deaths, one due to a kidney ailment, another from cardio-pulmonary failure, and a female cheetah named Daksha, who died following a violent interaction with a male during a mating attempt. Cheetahs became extinct in the country in the late 1940s/early 1950s.