Cheetah reserve for safari park

A new cheetah exhibit is set to be unveiled at West Midland Safari Park as the attraction builds on its growing reputation for its collection of big cats.

Thousands of visitors flock to see white tigers, Bengal tigers, African lions and leopards every year and bosses predict their two cheetahs will be just as popular when it opens on Saturday.

The two-acre exhibit, called Cheetah Plains, is the UK's largest drive-by cheetah reserve, and is home to brothers, Munya and Bulika. They are two-and-a-half years old and have remained together since birth. It is the first time the fastest land animal on earth has been on show at the park since it was opened in 1973.

Park bosses say the addition of cheetahs is "a logical step" for the tourist attraction and they plan to add more animals to the exhibit in the future.

Half of the remaining population of wild cheetah live in Nambia, a country with which the park has strong links. Its sister reserve, Ongava Game Reserve, shares a border with the world-famous Etosha National Park. Park spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said: "We have never had cheetahs at the park before.

"I have already seen them and they are absolutely magnificent animals."