Endangered cheetahs arrive at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Darcy was transported from Ireland whereas Brooke was brought from a facility in Bristol.
Two endangered cheetahs considered “vulnerable” by conservationists have arrived at a wildlife park in South Yorkshire.
The two wildcats – four-year-old female Darcy and 13-year-old male Brooke – have moved into a newly-developed 10,000 square metre cheetah territory at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster.
The area will be open to visitors from August 18.
Cheetahs being threatened by habitat loss, poaching and pollution are classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with only 7,100 estimated to exist in the wild.
Dr Charlotte Macdonald, director of animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, said the new territory includes “three new reserves and two houses”, making it potentially the largest “breeding complex” in Europe.
“We hope that Darcy and Brooke will appreciate the space in cheetah territory.
She said that the cheetahs are being housed separately from each other.
“Cheetah territory reflects this by housing Brooke and Darcy separately, as they would in the wild.
“The reserve has separate male and female savannah grassland inspired areas where they can run and roam, and ‘homes’ where they can withdraw to rest and sleep.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park CEO John Minion said: “Visitors to the park will have the opportunity to observe these incredible cats up close while also learning about the challenges they face in the wild and how they can actively contribute to their conservation.”
