Latest Cheetah Cub News
Dec. 28, 2020
2020 was an unprecedented year for people across the globe, but even as the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute temporarily closed its doors to the public, its work to save s... read more
Oct. 13, 2020
As the season changes and the temperature drops in Front Royal, Virginia, cheetah Echo and her 6-month-old cubs will spend more time inside, snuggling up to stay warm. Cheetahs do well in colder tempe... read more
Aug. 31, 2020
Mothers are not only our first friends, they are also our first teachers. In August, our wonderful cheetah mother Echo was busy teaching her 4.5-month-old cubs—female Amabala and males Jabari, Hasani... read more
Aug. 15, 2020
It is hard to believe that cheetah cubs Amabala, Jabari, Hasani and Erindi are already four months old! As the cubs grow, we want to ensure that they have a strong relationship with us. One way that w... read more
Jul. 31, 2020
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As mentioned in our previous update, Echo’s cubs continue to grow big and strong, thanks to their hearty appetite for meat and frozen-thawed rabbits. Acclimating the cubs to the scale is a wo... read more
Jul. 31, 2020
Grab a delicious snack with prehensile-tailed porcupine Quilliam, have a ball watching our cheetah cubs play and behold beaver Aspen as he fells a tree. July brought about many exciting moments, not t... read more
Jul. 16, 2020
As many of you know, our 3-month-old cheetah cubs Amabala, Jabari, Hasani and Erindi sampled their first taste of meat at the end of May and are enthusiastic eaters! Although they still receive ground... read more
Jul. 02, 2020
Romping through grassy pathways, taking a taste of meat and exploring exciting new places to play made June a jolly good month for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s cheetah family. Hear... read more
Jul. 02, 2020
A family meal among prairie dogs, the soothing sounds of a cheetah’s purr and a Pride cake fit for a giant panda. As summer kicks off at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institu... read more
Jun. 10, 2020
If you have been keeping up with Echo's cubs, Hasani, Amabala, Erindi and Jabari, you know they have been hitting all their cheetah milestones right on track — including regularly eating meat.
The... read more
Jun. 05, 2020
In May, the cheetah cubs born April 8 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute experienced many exciting “firsts”—from passing their veterinary exam, to receiving their names, to taking a tas... read more
Jun. 05, 2020
Behold a brunch between a sloth and a golden lion tamarin, catch a close-up of newborn black-footed ferret kits and get a glimpse of giant pandas gorging themselves on bamboo shoots. All of these even... read more
May. 28, 2020
Meet Amabala, Jabari, Hasani and Erindi! Now that the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s cheetah cubs have names — thanks to your votes — keepers have bestowed them upon the cubs.... read more
May. 21, 2020
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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to help name the litter of four cheetah cubs born April 8 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Instit... read more
May. 19, 2020
What does the world outside the cheetah cubs’ den look like? The grass is greener … and very tall! Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute keepers don’t mow a birthing yard until mom reliably bring... read more
May. 14, 2020
Great news: Echo moved her four cubs back into the den with a live webcam on Mother’s Day! So what have the cubs been up to? Read on for more.
What are some of the most exciting things going on wit... read more
May. 01, 2020
Chirping cheetah cubs, a birthday party fit for a gorilla and a Madagascar hedgehog tenrec indulging in some self-care with a dust bath—all of these events (and more) made for an eventful month at the... read more
Apr. 29, 2020
If you have followed along with #Cubdates 1 through 3, by now you know that cheetah Echo’s four cubs are thriving. Last week, keepers sexed the cubs and learned that there are three boys and one... read more
Apr. 20, 2020
It was a busy week for Echo’s cheetah cubs! Not only did Echo move them to a new den, but keepers were able to weigh the cubs and determine their sex. Find out more in this Q&A with cheetah biolog... read more
Apr. 14, 2020
Today was a big day for keepers and cheetah cubs alike! For the first time, keepers were able to approach the four cubs born April 8 (and snap their photo). Read on in this Q&A with cheetah biolog... read more
Apr. 10, 2020
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Want the latest on Echo and her four cubs? Keep reading for a quick #cubdate Q&A with cheetah biologist Adrienne Crosier.
How are the cubs doing?
The cubs are all active a... read more
Apr. 08, 2020
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Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are about to welcome a litter of chirping cheetah cubs. Five-year... read more