1st Cheetah Cub Born in India Holds Hope for Conservation Efforts

Seventy years after cheetahs disappeared from India, the species is not only back but breeding – and one cub, Mukhi, has become the unlikely mascot of the country's conservation initiative. 

Mukhi – the first cub born on Indian soil after the cheetahs were brought in from Namibia under Project Cheetah in 2022 – survived after losing her siblings in a heatwave and being abandoned by her mother. 

As Project Cheetah turns three on Wednesday, Mukhi – born on Mar 29, 2023, in Kuno National Park to Namibian transplants Jwala and Shaurya – stands at the centre of a remarkable milestone: 17 Indian-born cubs in just three years. 

Forest officials said the program has not only stabilised but shown clear signs of success – led by Mukhi. Her survival story, officials say, has become the defining image of a global conservation experiment that began with the reintroduction of African cheetahs to India in 2022. 

"Mukhi is now thriving. her good health and independence are indicative of the excellent care she is receiving from Kuno's veterinarians and field staff. Their management skills were developed quickly on a steep learning curve, which is most impressive", said Susan Yannetti of South Africa-based The Metapopulation Initiative, which played a key role in the translocation of cheetahs to India and is central to Project Cheetah. 

Mukhi was hand-reared under strict protocols. She survived despite losing three siblings to a deadly heatwave and maternal abandonment. And she has even learned hunting on her own and is reportedly progressing exceedingly well.

"When one deals with a live biological entity, all kinds of risks are involved. She carried all those risks", Project Cheetah field director Uttam Sharma said. 

According to the Times of India on Wednesday, Kuno now hosts 25 cheetahs – nine adults (six females and three males) and 16 India-born individuals – all healthy and doing well. 

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Madhya Pradesh forest department are expected to review the next phase of the action plan later this month. 

Forest officials added that every step of Mukhi's care has been documented to serve as a reference for future interventions. 

"We have recorded every aspect of it", said Sharma, noting her case may guide conservationists worldwide. 

Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the China Masters. 

The Malaysian women's doubles pair had no trouble defeating American duo, Francesca Corbett-Jennie Gai, with a decisive 21-11, 21-8 victory in straight games yesterday.