The U.S. National Zoological Park in Washington D.C., part of the Smithsonian Institution, is supported by the federal government. It has the largest collection of small mammals of any American zoo; one of the finest collections of elephants, bears, and reptiles; a pair of giant pandas, presented by the People's Republic of China in 1972; rare Sumatran tigers. On Friday, February 4th 2005, the first litter of cheetahs, born in the zoo's 115-year history, were introduced to the public.

Two male and two female cubs were born to Tumai -- which means "hope" -- on November 23rd 2004. The cubs were born in the zoo's African Savanna.

Sadly, their father, 12-year-old Amadi, died of kidney disease shortly after the cubs' birth.

The day before the cubs were introduced to the public, Reuters' photographer, Jason Reed captured one of the four 10-week-old cheetah cubs biting at the tail of its mother Tumai.

Perhaps a little stage fright?

Cheetah Cub on Mama Tumai

Their mother, Tumai is a large 4-year-old cheetah on indefinite loan from the Phoenix Zoo.

This is her first litter.

Her four cheetah cubs were conceived naturally.

Already, the cubs' personalities have emerged.

Four Cubs with Four Diffferent Personalities

Craig Saffoe, an animal keeper at the Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station since 1994, said:

One girl is very mischievous, while the other is very assertive.

One of the males loves to climb trees and his brother is very relaxed.

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.

Photo Courtesy of The National Zoo

Zoo officials are pleased that all four cubs survived and are thriving, chirping happily to their mother.

They are currently about the size of a large house cat.

On February 1st, they weighed in at about nine to nine and a half pounds each.

Veterinarians are examining the cubs every two weeks.

By the time they become full-grown adults, they will weigh approximately 100 pounds. By next November, their 1st birthday, they will not only be full grown, the zoo will prepare for them to depart their birthplace. At that time, they are likely to go to other zoos in North America to take part in a breeding conservation program.

Recently, the National Zoo let go of its director after two red pandas were killed by rat poison, a zebra starved, and an elephant was put down because of tuberculosis. The deaths were blamed on poor handling and bad management.

The birth of the cheetahs is a god-send to the zoo.

Cheetahs are the fastest animals on earth. They can run up to 60 mph.

Today, in most places around the world, cheetahs are extinct in the wild.

Asia, the Middle East and Africa are primarily where they once thrived.

In the sixteenth century, Akbar the Great of India kept 9,000 cheetahs during his 45-year reign. During his time, cheetahs were used by the pharaohs and other royalty -- even Emperor Charlemagne -- for hunting and as symbols of nobility.

Sumerians were the first people known to tame cheetahs.

These days, Africa is the only place they can be found in the thousands. At the turn of the century, there were over 100,000 cheetahs in the wild. Now, approximately only 9,000 to 15,000 cheetahs are left.

An estimated extinction date is 2013.

In North America, about 262 are being taken care of in captivity.

Of course, the four new cheetah cubs born in Washington have no idea that their natural habitat in Africa has no snow. However, these four cubs are growing up experiencing the cold elements that come with living on the east coast.

"They actually seem to like the snow," cheetah keeper Craig Saffoe said.

There some 1,200 cheetahs in captivity worldwide.

The four new cubs at the National Zoo are part of a community of nine cats living at the Cheetah Conservation Station. In addition to the cubs and their mother, there is one adult male and three other adult females.

Zoos around the world are proud of their scientific programs. The National Zoo is particularly proud of their "cheetah feat."

Jo Gayle Howard, a reproductive scientist at the nation's flagship zoo, said:

It's very difficult to breed cheetahs so there are very few litters.

This is why this is such a big deal.

If well taken care of, cheetahs in zoos can live up to 17 years.

In the wild, they typically live eight to ten years.

For a fabulous Cheetah Cub Photo Gallery, go to:

About The National Zoo

Hours: Open every day of the year except December 25th, 8 am to 6 pm (8 pm May 1st - September 15th)

Telephone: 202.673.4800

Congratulations to the National Zoo and especially the "keeper of the cubs," Craig Saffoe.

While it would not be wise to bring home a cheetah as your pet, you can now visit the National Zoo at the above times to see Tumai and her for cubs. You can also adopt them in a different way.

The zoo has an Adopt a Species program which helps support the care of more than 2,600 animals at the National Zoo.

Adopt a Species also makes a great gift for a great cause!

With a $40 contribution, you will receive:

* a color photo and fact sheet of your animal,
* a member newsletter sent to your doorstep six times a year, and
* a personalized certificate to show your support for wildlife.

The public is also being invited to help name the cubs.

The name "cheetah" comes from the Sanskrit word "chita" which means "spotted one."

The zoo will be creating a naming competition for Tumai's two sons and two daughters on the zoo's Web site:

Because cheetahs are "incredible", we suggest that one of them is named Dash.

Three other suggestions:

TGV - after the French bullet train
Nuksi - Swahili for "mischievous"
Mosi (for the slowest of the bunch or the first of four born) - in Swahili, Mosi means "first born"

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "Acinonyx Jubatus long" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King