The National Zoo has welcomed three baby gazelles in the past month, contributing to a veritable “baby boom” of these critically endangered–and dangerously cute–ungulates. The three calves (two males and a female) were born between August 30 and September 18 to three different female gazelles and a male gazelle, Edem.
The zoo posted pictures of the first baby at the beginning of September.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYv1fopglLr/?taken-by=smithsonianzoo
A spokesperson from the zoo says keepers are closely monitoring the calves, who appear to be healthy, nursing regularly, growing, and behaving normally. Although the baby gazelles will remain off-exhibit throughout this month, you’ll be able to catch their public debut in late October.
The gazelles are not the only baby animals to flood the zoo’s social media feeds with cuteness this year.
Two litters of red panda cubs were born in July.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYooSHyA_0F/?taken-by=smithsonianzoo
This baby orangutan is still tiny enough to cuddle its mother.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX_A7KSFt60/?taken-by=smithsonianzoo
And who could forget the adorable tiger cub who had to be transferred to the San Diego Zoo this month?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY6XmMfj7P5/?taken-by=smithsonianzoo
It may be a while before we have a new baby giant panda, but until then, there’s plenty of cuteness to go around over in Woodley Park.
Courtney Vinopal is a former Washingtonian editorial fellow. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, and previously worked as a press attaché for the Embassy of France in Washington, where she ran the institution’s social media accounts and newsletters. She lives in Woodley Park.
