year-old zoo as it tries to move beyond the high-profile criticism that led to an investigation and the resignation of its director last February. The National Zoo, part of the Smithsonian Institution, came under intense scrutiny after a string of deaths, which included two red pandas killed by rat poison, a zebra that starved and an elephant that was put down because of tuberculosis. The deaths were blamed on poor handling and bad management. Zoo officials were pleased that all four cubs survived and are thriving, chirping happily to their mother. Cheetahs, the fastest animals on earth with a speed of up to 60 mph (95 kph), were once found in Asia, the Middle East and Africa but they are now mostly extinct in the wild except in Africa, where there are only some 12,000 to 15,000 left. There are about 262 in captivity in North America and some 1,200 worldwide, and the zoo prides its scientific program for the feat. --More 0007 Local Time 2107 GMT
