# Indian-born cheetah KGP12 gives birth to four cubs in Kuno

2026-09-18T12:11:45+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Indian-born female cheetah KGP12 gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on September 18, a day after Project Cheetah completed four years. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav called it a historic and joyous moment and a significant symbol of the success of cheetah conservation and natural breeding in India. Kuno field director Uttam Sharma said forest staff spotted the cubs on Friday and are monitoring them from a distance. With these births, the number of cheetahs born and surviving in India has risen to 36, and the total cheetah population in India is 52, according to ThePrint. Kuno now hosts 49 cheetahs, while three are at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Since the project began in September 2022, 23 cheetahs have died. ThePrint noted that earlier this year, four cubs born to an Indian-born cheetah were found dead and partially eaten.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Hindustan Times and Mathrubhumi led with the birth as a historic success, citing the minister's praise and the project's expansion plans, while ThePrint balanced the milestone against the 23 cheetah deaths since 2022 and the earlier loss of four cubs. ThePrint's framing gives readers a fuller picture of a project that has seen both breeding gains and significant mortality. The survival of KGP12's litter over the next weeks will be the concrete test of whether breeding success translates into population growth.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (pro government) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kuno-cheetah-kgp12-gives-birth-to-four-cubs-india-s-cheetah-count-rises-to-36-101789724148830.html>
  Leads with minister's praise, omits death toll and earlier cub deaths
- theprint.in (neutral report) <https://theprint.in/environment/indian-born-cheetah-4-cubs-kuno-big-cat/3046415/>
  Reports birth and status review alongside death toll and earlier cub deaths
- english.mathrubhumi.com (pro government) <https://english.mathrubhumi.com/multimedia/videos/four-cheetah-cubs-born-kuno-national-park-project-cheetah-dqhfg8qi>
  Leads with minister's announcement, omits death toll and earlier cub deaths

Tags: Bhupendra Yadav, Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, Project Cheetah
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