Aasha, Jwala & Gamini: The Fearless Cheetah Mothers Protecting Their Cubs In Kuno National Park

A mother's love knows no bounds. While that might sound clich¨¦, it holds true across all circumstances, because a mother can go above and beyond for her offspring. A story about three cheetah mothers, recently shared by the MP Forest Department, illustrates this mother-offspring bond.

A Mother's Day tribute

In honor of Mother¡¯s Day 2024, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has shared a special newsletter focusing on the stories of three cheetah moms and their cubs in Kuno National Park. These tales highlight their journey of adapting and thriving in the Indian wilderness.

Representative image

The first story introduces Aasha, a six-year-old cheetah mom who arrived from Namibia on September 17, 2022. Despite roaming outside the park, Aasha returned during the 2023 monsoon season to give birth to three cubs on January 3, 2024, fathered by a male cheetah named Pawan.

Also read: Great News For Project Cheetah As Three More Cubs Are Born In Kuno National Park

Now four and a half months old, Aasha's cubs receive constant care and attention, reflecting her experience and maternal instincts.

AFP

Officers say she guides her cubs in the ways of survival, teaching them essential skills like hunting, chasing prey, and the significance of blending in with their surroundings.

Six-year-old Cheetah mother Jwala protects her sole surviving cub

The story then highlights the journey of Jwala, who arrived at Kuno National Park from Namibia on September 17, 2022.

Also read: One Year Since Namibian Cheetahs Were Brought To India, How Safe Is Their Future Here?

Jwala quickly adapted to her new environment and soon, her interaction with male cheetahs hinted at potential mating behavior, raising hopes for cheetah reproduction in India.

Unsplash

Later, suspicions arose regarding Jwala's pregnancy, leading to increased monitoring of her behavior. Ultimately, she gave birth to four cubs, marking the first cheetah births in India in 75 years. However, tragically, three cubs succumbed to the harsh summer conditions, leaving only one surviving cub.

The surviving cub's health became a focal point, with efforts made to ensure her recovery and eventual reunion with her mother, Jwala. Despite challenges and setbacks, the cub's resilience became a symbol of hope for the park management and conservationists.

As the cub continues to grow and thrive under the care of the park management, preparations are underway for her eventual release into the wild.

Representative image

This heartwarming tale showcases the intricate dynamics of mother-cub relationships in the animal kingdom and the dedicated efforts towards cheetah conservation in India.

Five-year-old Cheetah mother Gamini relies on maternal instincts

The last tale showcases Gamini, a five-year-old cheetah mother from South Africa, displaying the strength of motherhood despite challenges.

Despite thriving in the rugged terrain of Kuno NP, Gamini relies on her instincts and resourcefulness to protect her six cubs born on March 10, 2024, especially during the blazing summer months.

Witnessing these cheetah mothers' dedication and resilience underscores the profound bond between mother and cub, and also offers hope for the future of cheetah conservation in India.

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.