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Location: National Zoo
Time: Daily 12pm-2pm
Four Cheetah Cubs and Mother Now on Exhibit
The National Zoo in Washington, DC announced that Tumai, the Zoo’s four-year-old cheetah, gave birth to a litter of two male and two female cubs on November 23. This is the first litter of cheetah cubs ever born at the National Zoo in its 115-year history. Animal-care staff say the cubs are quite playful and in excellent health. Veterinarians are examining the cubs every two weeks and weighed them at 12 to 13 pounds each on February 16.
Each cub has had a small patch shaved in a different place (on the right shoulder or left leg, for example) so staff can tell them apart. They have started eating meat but are still nursing.
Visiting Hours
Weather permitting, the cheetah cubs and their mother will be on exhibit at the Cheetah Conservation Station daily from noon until 2 p.m. They MAY be outside earlier than noon, but will not be outside later than 2 p.m., when the cubs must go inside for an afternoon meal. On busy weekend days, lines may form to see the cubs and it may be necessary for us to close the line as early as 1:15 p.m. Please plan your visit with this in mind. |