Cheetah Mom Gives Birth to 4 Cubs at the National Zoo During Government Shutdown

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A cheetah named Amabala welcomed a litter of four cheetah cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Oct. 17 and 18, during the government U.S. shutdown

The cubs' father is Flash, an 8-year-old male

"The cubs appear to be strong, active, vocal, and eating well," the zoo said

The Smithsonian's National Zoo was closed to the public last month during the U.S. government's longest shutdown in history — but that didn't stop one mother cheetah from bringing some new additions into the zoo.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) announced that its 5-year-old adult female cheetah named Amabala welcomed a litter of four cheetah cubs over the course of two days on Oct. 17 and 18.

The cubs' father is Flash, an 8-year-old m