National Zoo launches lion cub cam

Officials at the National Zoo -- still giddy over the birth of four lion cubs this week -- have launched a live webcam for the public to watch the cubs and their mother, Shera.

Zoo officials also will post cub updates on the Web site. Keepers say Shera, a first-time mother, has been "very attentive" toward her cubs and has been spotted nursing and grooming them.

The cubs were born between 10:30 p.m. Monday and 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Their births come after the death in May of a 4-day-old cub that died from an infection after it inhaled a piece of hay that lodged in a lung.

"The National Zoo is thrilled that our captive management program for African lions is growing," said Dennis Kelly, the zoo's director. "After the sad loss of our … cub in May, these cubs symbolize hope for the zoo and for conservation programs. They will help build healthy, genetically diverse populations and contribute greatly to their species' survival."

The cubs will not be out in the yard until late fall to give the zoo's keepers and veterinary team time to examine them and monitor Shera.