Cheetah cubs make history for being first ever born at Longleat safari park

A pair of rare cheetah cubs have been born at Longleat Safari Park.

They are the first cheetah cubs to be born at the Wiltshire wildlife attraction, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The two cubs - one male and one female - were born eight weeks ago and will remain inside with their mum Wilma until they are 12 weeks old.

They are the first cheetah cubs to be born at the safari park in its history. Credit: Longleat Safari Park

The births, which come almost five years after cheetahs first arrived at Longleat, are particularly welcome as the cubs are part of the European Endangered Species Programme.

Their keeper Eloise Kilbane said:

The cubs will stay with their mother Wilma - pictured here - until they are 12 weeks old. Credit: Longleat Safari Park

Of the big cat family the cheetahs develop faster than any other so the cubs opened their eyes after just six days, began moving around on their own within three weeks and started chewing on bones at five weeks.

Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land animals; capable of top speeds of 71 miles per hour. While running they can cover four strides in a second with each stride measuring up to eight metres.

In the wild cheetahs can chase and kill much larger game including antelopes and even zebras as well as smaller animals like hares and rodents.