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In the News

The National Zoo’s cheetah cubs

The pair, who survived a dramatic rescue during their mother’s difficult pregnancy, now have names: Carmelita and Justin. The 3-month-olds were named after the fastest American competitors in the 100-meter dash at the London Olympics.

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July 24, 2012

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's three-month-old cheetah cubs, one male and one female, jump about as members of the media get a glimpse of the pair for only the second time.

Jabin Botsford / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

In a partnership with USA Track and Field, the zoo named the cubs after the fastest American male and female athletes in the 100-meter dash at the 2012 Olympics: <span>Carmelita Jeter and Justin Gatlin</span>.

In a partnership with USA Track and Field, the zoo named the cubs after the fastest American male and female athletes in the 100-meter dash at the 2012 Olympics: Carmelita Jeter and Justin Gatlin.

Jabin Botsford / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's three-month-old cheetah cubs.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's three-month-old cheetah cubs.

Jabin Botsford / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The cheetah cubs explore their outdoor enclosure. “It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen,” said cheetah biologist Adrienne Crosier in May of the effort to save the cheetahs’ lives at birth.

July 24, 2012

The cheetah cubs explore their outdoor enclosure. “It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen,” said cheetah biologist Adrienne Crosier in May of the effort to save the cheetahs’ lives at birth.

Jabin Botsford / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

<span>These new cubs are genetically valuable because their mother and father were first-time parents.</span>

These new cubs are genetically valuable because their mother and father were first-time parents.

Jabin Botsford / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Public viewing of the cubs starts Saturday at the zoo.

Public viewing of the cubs starts Saturday at the zoo.

Jabin Botsford / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The public got its first glimpse of the cubs at one month old. They were born by emergency Cesarean section April 23 when their mother, Ally, struggled to give birth to four cubs but was in danger of dying. In the end, only two of the one-pound cheetah cubs lived, but Ally has largely recovered and is out of the hospital.

May 23, 2012

The public got its first glimpse of the cubs at one month old. They were born by emergency Cesarean section April 23 when their mother, Ally, struggled to give birth to four cubs but was in danger of dying. In the end, only two of the one-pound cheetah cubs lived, but Ally has largely recovered and is out of the hospital.

Bill O'Leary / THE WASHINGTON POST

Animal keeper Gil Myers holds the female of the pair of surviving cubs at the National Zoo. The effort to save Ally and her litter of four unfolded over two days at the Cheetah Science Facility at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, in Fort Royal, Va. Reflecting on the effort to save all four cubs, the lead veterinarian said, 'You have sort of a mixture of feelings, because you want to save all of them. That's always what we want.'

May 23, 2012

Animal keeper Gil Myers holds the female of the pair of surviving cubs at the National Zoo. The effort to save Ally and her litter of four unfolded over two days at the Cheetah Science Facility at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, in Fort Royal, Va. Reflecting on the effort to save all four cubs, the lead veterinarian said, "You have sort of a mixture of feelings, because you want to save all of them. That's always what we want."

Bill O'Leary / THE WASHINGTON POST

The zoo keepers bottle-feed the cubs around the clock to nurse them to health. On the day they were rescued during birth, one month ago, the National Zoo's veterinarian and zoo keepers performed CPR for hours on the newborns, using thumbs and fingers. The effort lasted from early morning until 2 a.m., a race against the clock.

May 23, 2012

The zoo keepers bottle-feed the cubs around the clock to nurse them to health. On the day they were rescued during birth, one month ago, the National Zoo's veterinarian and zoo keepers performed CPR for hours on the newborns, using thumbs and fingers. The effort lasted from early morning until 2 a.m., a race against the clock.

Bill O'Leary / THE WASHINGTON POST

The female cub takes some pate for lunch. Four cheetah litters have now been born at the Front Royal site, and two have been born in Washington since 2004, the zoo said. With the addition of the cubs, the zoo's main facility has six cheetahs.

May 23, 2012

The female cub takes some pate for lunch. Four cheetah litters have now been born at the Front Royal site, and two have been born in Washington since 2004, the zoo said. With the addition of the cubs, the zoo's main facility has six cheetahs.

Bill O'Leary / THE WASHINGTON POST

A close-up of the female cub. Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land, reportedly capable of running up to 70 mph. They are also known for their beauty and grace -- and their inability to roar.

May 23, 2012

A close-up of the female cub. Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land, reportedly capable of running up to 70 mph. They are also known for their beauty and grace -- and their inability to roar.

Bill O'Leary / THE WASHINGTON POST

The siblings are thriving now.

May 23, 2012

The siblings are thriving now.

Bill O'Leary / THE WASHINGTON POST

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