Animal care staff at the Smithsonian National Zoo weighed the five new cheetah cubs this week, which weigh an average of 2 pounds each. Photo courtesy National Zoological Park
We alerted you to the fact that five cheetah cubs were born in Fort Royal, Virginia, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute earlier this month, but now there are pictures! Can you say, "Aww"?
The five cubs, which were born on May 28, underwent their first weigh-in this week. The cubs weigh an average of two pounds each."When I was weighing the last cub, he was being a very tough little guy," said Adrienne Crosier, SCBI cheetah biologist in statement from the National Zoo Park. "We’re already starting to see differences in their dispositions and look forward to watching them grow and learning all we can from them."
The zoo's statement highlighted that the cubs, born to the six-year-old Amani, are healthy, especially considering that newborn captive cheetah cubs can have a mortality rate of up to 20 percent in their first six months. That's pretty tame compared to cheetahs born in the wild, which can have a mortality rate of up to 70 percent.
SCBI is one of five facilities dedicated to boosting cheetah populations, which have suffered due to human conflict, poaching, and habitat loss in their native East Africa. The zoo's release estimates that there are only about 7,500 to 10,000 cheetahs alive in the wild.
Baby Cheetah Cubs at the National Zoo Are Healthy and Active (Pictures)
What's better than pictures of adorable baby cheetahs?
Slideshow: Cheetah Cub Pictures from the National Zoo
We alerted you to the fact that five cheetah cubs were born in Fort Royal, Virginia, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute earlier this month, but now there are pictures! Can you say, "Aww"?
The five cubs, which were born on May 28, underwent their first weigh-in this week. The cubs weigh an average of two pounds each."When I was weighing the last cub, he was being a very tough little guy," said Adrienne Crosier, SCBI cheetah biologist in statement from the National Zoo Park. "We’re already starting to see differences in their dispositions and look forward to watching them grow and learning all we can from them."
See Also:
Q&A With Baby Cheetah Biologist Adrienne Crosier
The zoo's statement highlighted that the cubs, born to the six-year-old Amani, are healthy, especially considering that newborn captive cheetah cubs can have a mortality rate of up to 20 percent in their first six months. That's pretty tame compared to cheetahs born in the wild, which can have a mortality rate of up to 70 percent.
SCBI is one of five facilities dedicated to boosting cheetah populations, which have suffered due to human conflict, poaching, and habitat loss in their native East Africa. The zoo's release estimates that there are only about 7,500 to 10,000 cheetahs alive in the wild.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Scott Bessent Got in Another Argument With a Coworker; Trump Threatens Chicago, Gets Booed in New York; and Our Critic Has an Early Report From Kayu
Sandwich Guy Has Become DC’s Hero
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Donald Trump Dines at Joe’s Seafood Next to the White House
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion