West Midland Safari Park have introduced a further six Cheetah to their Cheetah Plains Exhibit creating the largest group of Cheetah in the UK.

The six new Cheetah – 2 males and 4 females - range between 7 and 15 months old and have been re-homed from a captive breeding facility in South Africa. They have joined the Park’s original two Cheetah – Munya and Bulika - that were introduced at the beginning of the Park’s main season in February 2008.

All eight Cheetah have settled in well together and can regularly be seen playing and exploring the caves and rocks that form part of Cheetah Plains – the UK’s largest and unique drive-by quarantine facility.

Cheetah are critically endangered and the addition of Cheetah into the Park’s collection is a logical step, since half to two thirds of the remaining population of wild Cheetah are estimated to live in Namibia. A country with which the Park has strong links – their sister reserve, Ongava Game Reserve – and a place where Cheetah are also seen - shares a border with the world-famous Etosha National Park. Cheetah are the fastest land animals on earth that can accelerate from 0 – 45 mph in just 3 seconds and reach a top speed of up to 70 mph. They grow up to 2 metres long, weigh up to 55 kg and with their long legs, slender body and lengthy tail, find the combination very useful for making abrupt turns at great speed.

All eight Cheetah can be seen in Cheetah Plains, which forms part of the four mile all-weather Safari, during late night opening throughout August – including throughout the Bank Holiday - for their “Summer Nights” event. Gates to the attraction re-open at 4.30pm, last admission is 7.00pm and the Park closes late. Admission to “August Summer Nights” costs £5.50 per person. Amusement rides charged extra.

West Midland Safari Park opened in 1973 and is home to the only pride of rare White Lions in the UK; has the largest family group of White Tigers and has more than 600 exotic animals in the 100-acre all-weather safari drive through.

West Midland Safari & Leisure Park is open 10.00am daily until Friday, 7th November 2008. Admission costs £10.50 per person, including a free return ticket. Amusement rides charged extra. Further information is available from www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114.