India has welcomed the birth of four cheetah cubs – more than 70 years after the animals were declared officially extinct there.

Cheetahs – the world’s fastest land animal – became officially extinct in India in 1952, after years of dwindling numbers because of hunting, a loss of habitat and not having enough prey to eat.

The four cubs were born in Kuno National Park wildlife sanctuary to one of the females that came from Namibia last September.

India’s environment minister announced the good news, calling it a “momentous event”.

The country has been trying to reintroduce the big cats for decades, and last year brought eight cheetahs over from Namibia as part of the plan.

Source: BBC

[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65113651](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65113651)