PICS | 5 fascinating facts about the Indian cheetah

Updated On: 04 December, 2025 01:49 PM IST | Nascimento Pinto

On the occasion of International Cheetah Day, observed on December 4, here are five fascinating facts about the Indian Cheetah

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On the occasion of International Cheetah Day, observed on December 4, here are five fascinating facts about the Indian Cheetah

<p>The cheetah is a large cat and the fastest land animal, with tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. It has a small, rounded head, a short snout, and distinctive black tear-like facial streaks. It is often confused with jaguars and leopards due to their similar appearance.</p>

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The cheetah is a large cat and the fastest land animal, with tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. It has a small, rounded head, a short snout, and distinctive black tear-like facial streaks. It is often confused with jaguars and leopards due to their similar appearance.

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The last three known Asiatic cheetahs in India were killed in 1947. The species was officially declared extinct in the country in 1952.

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<p data-start="38" data-end="318" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In 2022, India launched an intercontinental initiative called ‘Project Cheetah’ to reintroduce cheetahs to the country, beginning with a group of eight cheetahs from Namibia. The first batch arrived in September 2022 and was released into Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.</p>
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In 2022, India launched an intercontinental initiative called ‘Project Cheetah’ to reintroduce cheetahs to the country, beginning with a group of eight cheetahs from Namibia. The first batch arrived in September 2022 and was released into Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

<p>Cheetah Mukhi was born in March 2023 to a Namibian cheetah named Jwala, is the first cheetah born on Indian soil to reproduce. She was the sole survivor of her litter and was hand-reared by park officials after her siblings succumbed to extreme heat.</p>

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Cheetah Mukhi was born in March 2023 to a Namibian cheetah named Jwala, is the first cheetah born on Indian soil to reproduce. She was the sole survivor of her litter and was hand-reared by park officials after her siblings succumbed to extreme heat.

<p>On November 20, Indian-born Cheetah Mukhi gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park. This marks the first successful birth from an Indian-born cheetah, making it a major milestone for India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.</p>

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On November 20, Indian-born Cheetah Mukhi gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park. This marks the first successful birth from an Indian-born cheetah, making it a major milestone for India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.

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PICS | 5 fascinating facts about the Indian cheetah

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