Eight-month-old Cheetah cub dies at Kuno, population drops to 59

A cub born to Namibia-born cheetah Asha was found dead at Kuno National Park, highlighting the challenges facing India's reintroduction programme.Another cheetah cub was found dead at the Kuno National Park. (Representative Photo: X/@byadavbjp) New Delhi,Oct 13, 2026 12:45 ISTIndia’s cheetah reintroduction programme has suffered another setback after an eight-month-old cub was found dead at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, bringing the country’s total cheetah population down to 59, news agency PTI reported.The cub, born to Asha, a female cheetah brought from Namibia, was found dead on Monday, October 12, during a search by forest officials after it went missing from the group.Forest staff noticed during routine morning monitoring that Aasha was accompanied by only four of her five cubs, prompting a search immediately. Subsequently, the missing cub was found dead. A photo of the newly born Cheetah cubs. (Photo: X/@byadavbjp) The cause of death has not yet been established as officials await the findings of a post-mortem examination that would help determine what happened. INDIA'S CHEETAH HUB IN DANGER?With the latest death, Kuno National Park is now home to 53 cheetahs, including 40 born in India. Of these, 15 are currently roaming freely in the wild. Mukhi, the first Indian-born cheetah cub, is pictured. (Photo: PTI) Four other cheetahs are housed at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, while two are at Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. Together, the three sites account for India's remaining 59 cheetahs.The latest loss comes just days after the country's cheetah population reached 60 following the birth of five cubs to an India-born female at Kuno on October 5.That birth was seen as an important step towards establishing a population capable of breeding and sustaining itself in the country.But the subsequent death highlights the challenges of ensuring that young cheetahs survive. A female cheetah is seen at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary after being released. (Photo: PTI) INDIA'S CHEETAH PROJECT GOES ONCheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, until the current administration decided to bring them back to roam the lands of the country.The government launched Project Cheetah to bring the species back, with eight cheetahs arriving from Namibia in September 2022, followed by 12 from South Africa in February 2023.The programme aims to establish a viable population of the world's fastest land animal in suitable habitats across India. Kuno, in Sheopur district, was selected as the main site for the initial reintroduction.However, bringing cheetahs back is only the first step. The long-term success of the project depends on their ability to survive, reproduce and raise cubs in the wild. An image of two Cheetah cubs born at Kuno National Park. (Photo: X/@byadavbjp) Deaths among young cheetahs can occur for several reasons, including disease, injuries and attacks by other animals. In this case, however, officials have not confirmed what caused the cub's death.The post-mortem findings thus remain crucial in establishing the circumstances surrounding the death of the eight-month-old cub.- Ends