National Zoo's New Baby Cheetahs -- PICTURES

The two baby cheetahs delivered by National Zoo veterinarian Copper Aitken-Palmer. Two other cubs were lost during the emergency C-section procedure. (Adrienne Crosier, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute)

Copper Aitken-Palmer, veterinarian at the National Zoo’s Front Royal, Va., campus, delivered the baby cheetahs in April. As the sole veterinarian at the 3,500-acre facility, Aitken-Palmer's day can consist of reading medical records, observing animals from afar, and talking to the nutritionist. (Brianna Mcclane)

Aitken-Palmer delivered this 2-day-old cheetah. The cheetahs are expected to make their public debut later this summer at the National Zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Station. (Adrienne Crosier, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute)

The cheetah cubs, 16 days after being delivered in an emergency C-section procedure.  (Adrienne Crosier, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute)

Three weeks after being born, the baby cheetahs are thriving at the National Zoo.  (Janice Sveda, Smithsonian's National Zoo)

One of the baby cheetah gets fed at the National Zoo. Both cubs were healthy and active at their last checkup on June 7. (Janice Sveda, Smithsonian's National Zoo)