Another Litter of Cheetah Cubs Born at Zoo

WASHINGTON - Nature has taken it's course again at the National Zoo. Just five months after the Zoo's first-ever birth of cheetah cubs, there's now a second litter.

Leaders at the Zoo say five cheetahs were born Thursday night. This is the first time the mother has had cubs, and there's concern about her reaction. The way the mother treats the babies will determine whether they survive.

Peper Long, a spokeswoman for the National Zoo, says keepers can't get into the den to have a look, just yet.

She says a lot can happen in the next few days so they're watching and waiting.

Back on Nov. 23, the zoo had its first litter of cheetahs in its 115-year history. Those four are doing well.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)