Context
Three new African cheetah cubs were born at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, raising India’s total cheetah count to 38. This continues India’s cheetah reintroduction effort under Project Cheetah.
Cheetah Characteristics
• World’s fastest land animal (up to 110 km/h).
• Lightweight, long-legged, with black “tear marks” on face.
• Hunts by sprinting, not endurance.
• Prefers open grasslands/savannas.
India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Sites
• Kuno National Park, MP – First translocation: Sept 2022 (African cheetahs).
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, MP – Second site: April 2025 (for population expansion & habitat diversification).
African vs Asiatic Cheetah
| Feature | African | Asiatic |
| Location | Wide range in Africa | Iran (critically small population) |
| Build | Larger, robust | Smaller, slimmer |
| Coat | Brighter, denser spots | Paler, sparser spots |
| Status | Vulnerable | Critically Endangered (~50–70 left) |
| Genetics | Greater diversity | Very low diversity |
