When cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, few imagined that the spotted sprinters would ever return. For decades, the absence of the fastest land animal was a reminder of ecological loss. History turned a new page when India launched Project Cheetah, a global conservation experiment that brought cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Today with the project, not only are cheetahs back, but they are also multiplying. At the heart of this remarkable journey stands Mukhi, a young female cub whose survival story has captured hearts across India and beyond.

Mukhi’s Birth: A Historic Moment

On March 29, 2023, a female cheetah named Jwala, brought from Namibia, gave birth to four cubs in Kuno National Park. Among them was Mukhi, the first cub born on Indian soil after reintroduction. But joy quickly turned into heartbreak. A deadly heatwave struck Kuno, and three of the four cubs perished. Mukhi, the sole survivor, was then abandoned by her mother. What seemed like a tragic end soon became the beginning of an extraordinary story of resilience.

Beating the Odds

In May 2023, forest staff found Mukhi weak, exhausted, and near collapse. The veterinary team at Kuno stepped in, nursing her back to health under strict protocols. She was hand-reared, provided medical treatment, and closely monitored. Attempts to reunite her with her mother failed; Jwala rejected her. Mukhi also suffered injuries, further testing her strength. Yet, against all odds, she survived. 

Mukhi’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. From being a fragile orphan cub, she has grown into an independent young cheetah. She learned to hunt on her own, an essential skill for survival in the wild. Veterinary staff and field teams recall long nights, endless care routines, and anxious waiting for signs of recovery. For them, Mukhi’s survival was not just about saving one animal but about proving that Project Cheetah could succeed despite setbacks.

Project Cheetah 

Launched in 2022, Project Cheetah aimed to reintroduce cheetahs to India after a 70-year absence. Now in its third year, the results are promising, with Kuno National Park hosting 25 cheetahs—nine adults and 16 India-born cubs. A total of 17 cubs have been born in India so far, beginning with Mukhi, the first. All cheetahs are currently reported healthy, showcasing the program’s steady progress. 

However, the journey has not been without losses. Just this week, a 20-month-old female, one of Jwala’s cubs released into the wild, died in a territorial clash with a leopard, marking the first such incident since the project began. Despite this setback, conservationists emphasize that such risks are natural in wildlife ecosystems. The effort has also earned international recognition. South Africa’s Metapopulation Initiative, which partnered with India in the translocation, praised the speed with which Indian teams have adapted to cheetah management.

Lessons from Mukhi

Mukhi’s story is not only about animals; it is also about courage in tough times. She lost her brothers and sisters, her mother left her, and she suffered from sickness and injury, yet she managed to survive. Her journey is very similar to what many people face in life problems, loss, and rejection. But just like Mukhi, with patience, strength, and support from others, we can overcome these struggles. For the forest staff and doctors at Kuno, Mukhi was more than just a cheetah cub; she became an inspiration, teaching them to never give up, no matter how hard the situation looks.

Mukhi: The Face of India’s Cheetah Comeback

Seventy years after extinction, cheetahs are running on Indian soil again. And at the center of this comeback is one small cub who refused to give up. Mukhi is more than a survivor; she is a symbol of courage and hope. She represents not only the success of Project Cheetah but also the collective spirit of those working tirelessly to bring the species back. Her story reminds us that even in the harshest conditions, life can find a way forward. For India, Mukhi has become the face of a new ecological dream: a future where cheetahs thrive once again.