New Cheetahs Debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

There is a brand new band of brothers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. A coalition of two male cheetahs made their debut at the Cheetah Conservation Station yesterday, Dec. 21. The 2-year-old brothers, Donnie and Copley, came to the Zoo from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Male cheetahs live in social groups called coalitions, usually made up of brothers. Donnie and Copley will rotate daily on exhibit with the Zoo’s two other resident cheetahs, Gat and Bakari.

# # #

Photos Credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo

Related Species:

Cheetah

Image Gallery

Two cheetahs standing between tall grasses
Cheetah brothers Donnie and Copley at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo
Two cheetahs standing behind a log
Cheetah brothers Donnie and Copley at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo
A male cheetah
Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo
Two cheetahs standing in the grass behind a fake termite mound
Cheetah brothers Donnie and Copley at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo
A cheetah crouched on the ground next to some tall grasses
Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo
A cheetah standing in the grass
Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo
Two cheetahs standing between tall grasses
Two cheetahs standing behind a log
A male cheetah
Two cheetahs standing in the grass behind a fake termite mound
A cheetah crouched on the ground next to some tall grasses
A cheetah standing in the grass

Continue Exploring

February 04, 2026

Keepers on the SCBI Cheetah Cubs ›

Learn how keepers are connecting with the cheetah cubs at our science campus in Front Royal, Virginia.
December 16, 2025

A First Checkup, Cheetah Style ›

Get an inside look at how our animal care teams conduct a regular checkup on four tiny cheetah cubs.
November 15, 2025

Smithsonian Celebrates Birth of Four Cheetah Cubs ›

Keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia are celebrating the births of a litter of cheetah cubs.