In a tale of survival against the odds, Mukhi has made history as the first cheetah cub born in India to reach the age of two in over 75 years under Project Cheetah and has become a symbol of hope and learning for conservationists. Born to a Namibian cheetah in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, Mukhi is the only survivor among her four siblings, who succumbed to extreme summer conditions. Her journey has been a challenging yet enlightening experience for the team managing the ambitious reintroduction of cheetahs in India.
A FRAGILE BEGINNING
Mukhi was just two months old when her mother abandoned her. The absence of maternal care meant she had to rely entirely on the intervention of forest officials and wildlife experts. “She was extremely vulnerable,” IFS officer Uttam K Sharma (1999 batch), Director of Project Cheetah, shared with Indian Masterminds. “We had never handled a cheetah cub before, so this was new territory for us.”
The team sought guidance from experts in Namibia and South Africa, who provided crucial insights into feeding protocols and handling techniques. However, much of the learning came from observing Mukhi herself—understanding how she responded to care, monitoring her health, and ensuring she adapted to her environment. “It was tough. Practical knowledge comes only with experience, and Mukhi was our first,” Mr. Sharma adds.
SURVIVING AGAINST THE ODDS
Unlike her three siblings, Mukhi managed to endure the scorching summer. Her survival was a rare glimmer of success for Project Cheetah, which had faced setbacks with high mortality rates among the relocated cheetahs. “Had we lost her too, it would have been a major psychological setback,” Mr. Sharma admits. “She showed us that even in India’s challenging climatic conditions, cheetahs can adapt.”
Her upbringing was not without hurdles. Without a mother to teach her survival skills, Mukhi had to learn everything on her own. Initially, she was kept in a secure enclosure where she could gradually develop her instincts. Over time, she was introduced to a larger space with natural prey, where she started practicing the art of hunting. “She has the wild instinct. She gets injured sometimes while running and chasing, but she recovers quickly,” says Mr. Sharma.
A FUTURE IN THE WILD?
Now approaching adulthood, Mukhi has started hunting occasionally, although she still receives supplemental food. With access to over 50 hectares of natural habitat within a larger enclosure, she is slowly acquiring the skills necessary for survival in the wild. “She is eager to hunt and is making progress. She is also reaching breeding age, so we are monitoring her closely,” Mr. Sharma explains.
There is a possibility that Mukhi could be released into the wild, like other cheetahs under the project. “She has been raised differently from the cheetahs in Namibia’s rehabilitation centres, where they follow a strict model for abandoned cubs. We have given her more space to adapt naturally,” he says.
For now, the team is focused on ensuring that Mukhi gains the strength and skills needed to thrive independently. Her survival has provided crucial insights into managing future cubs and has reinforced confidence in the project’s long-term viability.
“She has shown us that cheetahs can learn and adapt, even in challenging conditions. If she continues to progress, she might eventually roam free like her ancestors once did on Indian soil,” Mr. Sharma concludes.
