Adorable Cheetah Cubs Born At USA National Zoo

This adorable footage shows how baby cheetah cubs have been born at the National Zoo in the United States.Show more

The birth took place at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington DC, the capital of the United States.

Footage showing the newborn cubs shortly after they were born has been shared online by the Conservation Biology Institute yesterday (Tuesday 12th October) and they said: "The Cheetah Cub Cam is back! First-time mother Rosalie birthed 5 cubs this morning at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI). They appear to be strong, active, vocal and nursing well."

The zoo explained that "since 2007, 16 litters of cheetah cubs have been born at SCBI. Ten-year-old Nick, who was the first cheetah born at SCBI, sired this litter."

The zoo added: "Animal care staff will leave Rosalie to bond with and care for her cubs without interference, so it may be some time before they can determine the cubs’ sexes. Keepers will perform a health check on the cubs when Rosalie is comfortable leaving them for an extended period of time."

In a statement posted on its website, the National zoo said that "Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of five cheetah cubs today."

Adrienne Crosier, cheetah reproductive biologist at SCBI and head of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Cheetah Species Survival Plan, said: "Seeing Rosalie successfully care for this litter - her first - with confidence is very rewarding."

She added: "Being able to witness the first moments of a cheetah’s life is incredibly special. As webcam viewers watch our cheetah family grow, play and explore their surroundings, we hope the experience brings them joy and helps them feel a deeper connection to this vulnerable species."

The SCBI is a member of the Cheetah Breeding Center Coalition which is a group of 10 breeding centres for cheetahs across the US that aims to "create and maintain a sustainable North American cheetah population under human care."

The zoo added: "These cubs are a significant addition to the Cheetah SSP, as each individual contributes to this program."

Cheetahs usually live in rather small, isolated groups, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. But the zoo said that because of human interference that includes poaching and the destruction of the cheetahs' habitats and natural prey, only 7,000 to 7,500 of them are still left in the wild.

Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN's Red List of Endangered Species.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute /Cz/Joe Golder