Cheetah News

Displaying 1 - 25 of 106

Closeup of a yellow-eyed cheetah cub
March 30, 2026

Cheetah Cam Season Comes to a Close ›

The last day of the Zoo's Cheetah Cub Cam feed will be April 2. Learn what's next for the cubs in this keeper update.

Cheetah cub puts her nose next to the camera lens
February 04, 2026

'They’re All the Brave One': Keepers on the SCBI Cheetah Cubs ›

Learn how keepers are connecting with the cheetah cubs at our science campus in Front Royal, Virginia.

Two zoo staffers hold a tiny cheetah cub
December 16, 2025

Cheetah Cubs Have Their First Checkup ›

Get an inside look at how our animal care teams conduct a regular checkup on four tiny cheetah cubs.

Web-camera photo of a female cheetah nursing four cubs
November 15, 2025

Litter of Four Cheetah Cubs Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia are celebrating the births of a litter of cheetah cubs.

Giant panda Bao Li romps through the snow
January 08, 2025

See How the Pandas (And Other Animals) Enjoyed a Chilly Snow Day ›

Several inches of snowfall kept the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute closed to visitors, but the animals and their caretakers still had a good time!

A one-month-old pygmy slow loris baby crawls along a branch in the Small Mammal House.
December 18, 2024

Read Some of the Zoo’s Most Amazing Animal Stories of 2024 ›

This year was filled with incredible and heartwarming stories about the animals and the people who care for them. Enjoy a look back at some of the amazing things that happened this year.

Two surgeons operate on a cheetah cub, who is mostly covered in a blue protective blanket.
October 04, 2024

Inside the Zoo: A Rare and Life-Preserving Cheetah Surgery ›

With the help of 3D modeling technology, a team of veterinary experts successfully carried out a rare spinal surgery on a female cheetah cub.

Close shot of a three-month-old cheetah cub.
January 30, 2024

How Genomic Science Solved a Cheetah Paternity Mystery ›

When Echo's five cubs were born last fall, their exact parentage was a mystery. A genetic analysis conducted by Smithsonian scientists revealed the truth.

Three cheetah cubs in a grassy field look at the camera. Part of their mom's leg and tail is visible in the frame.
December 08, 2023

#CheetahCubdate: Ready to Play and Excited for Treats ›

Our newest litter of five cubs are are playful and closely bonded—and they love chasing each other through the yard. It’s a lot for eight-year-old Echo to keep track of!

One of Echo's cubs is held by gloved animal care experts.
November 06, 2023

#CheetahCubdate: Brave Little Explorers ›

Our newest litter of cheetah cubs are busy exploring... and they just got their first physical! Learn about caring for cubs in this update from carnivore biologist Adrienne Crosier.

Closeup of a tiny cheetah cub looking into the camera. A keeper wearing blue gloves is supporting its body.
October 06, 2023

#CheetahCubdate: New Cubs, New Den ›

What's life like for a 3-week-old cheetah cub? Read the latest about Echo's litter of five adorable cubs in our latest animal update.

Cheetah mother Echo with five cubs born Sept. 12, 2023
September 21, 2023

Litter of Five Cheetah Cubs Are Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating a litter of five cheetah cubs born to 8-year-old adult female Echo Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Cheetahs investigate a bucket filled with ice.
April 25, 2023

#CheetahCubdate 9: An Ice Bucket Challenge ›

The warm weather has brought the cubs new enrichment activities, including a tub filled with ice cubes!

A photo of a male cheetah cub sitting in grass, looking toward the camera.
March 09, 2023

#CheetahCubdate 8: Get to Know the Cubs by Name ›

As each of Amani's cub’s personality begins to shine through, it’s the perfect time to debut their names. Plus, the cubs have some new neighbors, who are familiar faces to our cheetah fans!

Cheetah Amani crouches over a metal tray with one of her 4-month-old cubs. Amani appears to be sniffing the side of the tray while the cub inspects a bloodsicle on the tray. Amani's other cub is to the right of the tray, eating a small piece of the treat
February 07, 2023

#CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs ›

Our 4-month-old cheetah cubs have had a busy couple of weeks! They played on new furniture in their yard, got a taste of a new treat, and had their last cub veterinary exam. Read on for a playful video and the latest update from carnivore keepers in Front Royal, Virginia.

Cheetah mother Amani lays in the tall grass in her yard with her two male cubs. One cubs lays snuggled up next to her on the left and the other sits on the right. All three cheetahs look toward the camera.
January 17, 2023

#CheetahCubdate 6: New Year, New Food and the First Snow ›

Amani and her 3-month-old cubs are entering the new year with new experiences and a clean bill of health. Read on for the full update from the keepers!

Two 9-week-old male cheetah cubs sit in their den on hay. The cub on the right appears to be hissing at the camera.
December 14, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 5: A Jolly (Ball) Time ›

It’s been a jolly time for Amani and her two cubs over the last couple weeks! The family received some new enrichment and the cubs had their 9-week exam. Read on for the full Cheetah Cubdate from cheetah biologist, Adrienne Crosier.

The darker-furred cheetah cub (1 month old) lays in a plastic blue bin. He is looking up with his mouth open, showing a few small teeth coming in.
November 09, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 3: Ready, Set, Play! ›

Amani’s two male cubs are one month old, ready to play and are back making appearances on the Cheetah Cub Cam! Read on to find out just how mobile these cubs are and don't miss two adorable videos of them playing.

Two 3-week-old cheetah cubs cuddle next to each other next to some tall grasses in their yard. There is hay and grass laying over the dirt under them. One cub is laying parallel to the camera and the other is laying behind him, facing the camera.
October 28, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 2: Spotted in the Tall Grass ›

Amani may have moved her cubs off cam, but keepers are pleased to report the family is doing great! Read on to find out what our cheetah family in Front Royal, Virginia, has been up to in this #CheetahCubdate.

Two 5-day-old cheetah cubs lay in a den. The floor of the den is covered in den. The one cub is laying further back but has its mouth open toward its sibling and the camera. The other cub is facing the right, its mouth slightly open.
October 14, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 1: The First Squeak Peek ›

Over the past week, cheetah fans and keepers have watched the two newborn cubs and their mother snuggle and bond on the Cheetah Cub Cam. Read on to find out if we have boys, girls or one of each in this first #CheetahCubdate.

Momma cat with two itty bitty kitties in a straw-floored grotto
October 06, 2022

Cheetah Cubs Are Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Carnivore keepers in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs. First-time mother, 4-year-old female Amani, birthed the cubs Oct. 3 around 9:17 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. ET. They appear to be strong, active, vocalizing and nursing well. Animal care staff are closely monitoring Amani and...

An infrared (black and white) image from a cheetah cub cam showing six cheetahs curled up and intertwined with each other in a small den
August 18, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 19: A Warm and Fuzzy Farewell ›

After 10 months of 24/7 Cheetah Cub Cam, it's time to say goodbye to Rosalie and her five cubs.

three cheetahs surround a "chew toy" made of woven recycled firehose
July 22, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 18: Cheetah Chew Toys ›

At 9 months old, Rosalie's cubs are teething!

six cheetahs stand over a food bowl
July 07, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 17: The Breakfast Cubs ›

What does feeding time look like for five growing cheetah cubs and their mom? Watch the video to find out how fast Rosalie and her cubs can devour more than 10 pounds of meat.

A 6-month-old cheetah cub lays in the grass with four black Kong toys spread out in the grass in front of them.
April 26, 2022

#CheetahCubdate 15: Playful Personalities ›

The 6-month-old cheetah cubs are growing well and are ready to play! Plus, their individual personalities are starting to shine through. Get the latest update on Rosalie's cubs from cheetah biologist, Adrienne Crosier.