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  • Five cheetah cubs were born on October 5 at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia, marking a significant addition to captive breeding programs.
  • The facility has now recorded 90 cheetah births across 21 litters, contributing to the Species Survival Plan designed to maximize genetic diversity.
  • Cheetahs remain vulnerable with wild populations declining by over 90 percent since 1900 due to habitat fragmentation and historical bottlenecks.

A new litter of five cheetah cubs was born on October 5 at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. This birth represents a notable achievement for the facility, which has now recorded 90 cheetah births across 21 litters since its operations began. The arrival of these young animals supports ongoing conservation efforts aimed at preserving genetic diversity within captive populations, a critical strategy given the precarious status of the species in the wild.

The cubs were born to Zura, a five-year-old female who is experiencing motherhood for the first time. Staff members describe her as calm and attentive, dedicating nearly all her time to caring for the newborns. In the days following their birth, the cubs have been active, climbing on their mother and nursing frequently. Zura recently left the den for the first time to eat and drink, a behavior that staff view as normal and reassuring. She returned promptly to the cubs after feeding.

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Newborn cheetahs are born with their eyes closed and ears flat against their heads, making them entirely dependent on maternal care for survival. Typically, it takes four to seven days for their eyes to open, followed by a few more days before their ears stand upright. During this initial period, the care team maintains a hands-off approach to allow the family unit to bond without interference. However, staff monitor the cubs closely through a live stream that provides public access to scenes from within the den.

The cubs are expected to grow rapidly, gaining approximately 50 grams of weight each day. As they mature over the next few weeks, their curiosity will likely increase when Zura leaves the den for meals. Staff anticipate that the young cats will begin following her outside shortly after this period. At around six weeks of age, the cubs will undergo their first veterinary examination and receive vaccinations. They will also be implanted with transponders for reliable identification.

To manage the growing litter, staff will eventually enter the den to check on the animals' health. Each cub will be weighed individually and marked with a small shave in its fur to distinguish it from its siblings. These procedures are designed to ensure that each animal is thriving while minimizing stress on the mother and her offspring. The live stream continues to offer viewers around the world a unique window into these early developmental stages, particularly because the facility itself is not open to the public.

Zura was born at the institute in 2021, and both her mother and grandmother are also residents of the facility. This means that four generations of this cheetah family line are currently under the care of biologists at the institute. The father of the new litter is Flash, a nine-year-old male who has sired seven cubs from previous litters. Cheetah fathers do not participate in raising their young, so Flash plays no role in the daily care of these newborns.

The breeding program operates under the Cheetah Species Survival Plan, established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This initiative involves ten facilities across the United States that coordinate breeding pairs based on DNA analysis, temperament, health, and other factors. The goal is to promote genetic diversity and produce offspring with the best possible chance for a healthy life. Sometimes this requires transporting cheetahs hundreds of miles between facilities to meet potential mates.

Flash is considered genetically valuable within this program, suggesting that his offspring will play a significant role in the future of the species. Cheetahs are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their global population has declined by more than 90 percent since 1900, driven largely by human activity that has fragmented wild habitats. Additionally, the species has struggled with low genetic diversity since an extinction event at the end of the last ice age eliminated several cheetah species.

Despite these challenges, captive breeding programs provide a crucial buffer against further decline. Each new litter contributes to the genetic pool and serves as an ambassador for the species. Biologists emphasize that every cheetah born in captivity has the potential to aid in the conservation of wild populations in the future. The institute continues to monitor the health and development of these five cubs as they transition from newborns to active juveniles.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting

  • Smithsonian Magazine↗Watch Five Adorable Newborn Cheetah Cubs Grow on a Livestream From the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute