Crowds turn out to spot cheetahs

Two cheetahs are proving to be a roaring success with visitors since making their debut at West Midland Safari Park.

Families were able to get their first glimpse of the new big cats at the weekend and since then have been flocking to the Bewdley-based tourist attraction. It has also been a time for park worker Bertram Veldman to become acquainted with his new big cat charges.

He is allowed to get close to the cheetahs - although visitors must abide by a strict stay-in-the-car rule.

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 spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said: "We have had a fantastic week. The weather has been great, which has brought in far bigger crowds than we expected for half term. We have had so many visitors come to see the new exhibit and they seem to be loving the cheetahs." Cheetahs are critically endangered in the wild and are disliked intensely by farmers for killing livestock and are still ruthlessly hunted.

They can accelerate from 0 to 45mph in three seconds and reach a top speed of up to 70 mph. In the wild they catch and ear deer and other small animals.

The park is also home to the only pride of white lions in the UK and is the only place is the country where visitors can see the African Big Five - leopard, lions, rhinos, elephants and Cape buffalo.

It is open daily from 10am.

The season will run until Friday, November 7.

Further information is available from www.wmsp.co.uk or 01299 402114.