Cool cats: Cheetah cubs born at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

FRONT ROYAL, Va. — These cats are almost too cool for words.

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Five cubs were born Tuesday morning at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute near Front Royal, Virginia, according to the facility’s website.

The Smithsonian is allowing people to get a peek at the cubs and their 5-year-old mother, Rosalie, through the Cheetah Cub Cam. The camera features live footage of the den and the interaction between mother and cubs, CNN reported.

“Seeing Rosalie successfully care for this litter -- her first -- with confidence is very rewarding,” Adrienne Crosier, cheetah reproductive biologist at SCBI, said in a statement. “Being able to witness the first moments of a cheetah’s life is incredibly special. As webcam viewers watch our cheetah family grow, play and explore their surroundings, we hope the experience brings them joy and helps them feel a deeper connection to this vulnerable species.”

The cubs were born at 5:20 a.m., 8:24 a.m., 9:42 a.m., 10:33 a.m. and 11:17 a.m. EDT, the Smithsonian said in a news release.

The litter was sired by Nick, a 10-year-old cheetah and the first of his species to be born at the facility, according to the release.

The two cheetahs were bred on July 9 and 10, CNN reported. Veterinarians confirmed Rosalie’s pregnancy using ultrasounds on Aug. 16.

Keepers do not yet know the sex of the cubs, noting that they were giving the new family time to bond, according to CNN.

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