Amani, one of the cheetahs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., gave birth to five cubs late last month.

This is the 6-year-old’s second litter. She and one other cheetah each gave birth to one cub last year.

Adrienne Crosier, SCBI cheetah biologist, said it is very exciting for the institute to have three litters in such a short period of time, especially since this most recent litter is so large.

The cheetah facility, which was built as a breeding facility, brought in its first group of cheetahs in 2007. The facility did not include any male cheetahs until last year, Crosier said.

Crosier said the cubs are still too young to be moved from the facility, but that it is currently unclear if they will eventually live at the National Zoo.

Right now, Crosier said the facility’s top priority is to provide Amani the appropriate conditions for her to raise her cubs in.

“We want her to raise her cubs; we do not want to hand raise the cubs,” Crosier said.