Cheetah Cub Cam

Watching the cubs? So are we. This live feed is the same used by our animal care staff to remotely monitor the cheetah family.

The Cheetah Cub Cam takes you inside the den of Zura, a 5-year-old cheetah. Her five cubs were born Oct. 5, 2026, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia.

Unlike animals living at our Zoo in Washington, D.C., cubs born at SCBI experience limited human contact early in their lives. This helps the cubs bond with their mother while giving staff the opportunity to perform different types of behavioral research than are possible in a zoo habitat.

 With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, every birth offers hope for the future of the species. By tuning in to Zura’s den, you’re sharing a rare window into the conservation work that helps ensure their survival.

The Cheetah Cub Cam gives you a rare look inside a cheetah den. Watch for these common behaviors:

• Sleeping - Newborn cubs spend most of their early weeks asleep as they grow and develop. You might see them piled together in a heap.
• Nursing – Zura nurses her cubs several times a day.
• Grooming– Cheetahs groom themselves and one another to stay clean and reinforce social bonds.
• Wrestling – Playfighting helps cubs build the coordination, strength, and social skills they rely on in adulthood.
• Vocalizing – Cheetah cubs communicate using soft chirps, gentle meows, and tiny purrs.
• Exploring - If you don't see the cubs on cam, they may be enjoying the outdoors!