A pair of cheetah brothers described as \u201cfirm favourites\u201d with visitors and keepers have bid goodbye to a Kent animal park.<\/p>\n
Born at Longleat Safari Park in August 2018, Mo and Bolt moved to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, near Ashford, in December 2023.<\/p>\n
Mo and Bolt have departed The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden. Picture: The Big Cat Sanctuary<\/p>\n
They made the switch from Wiltshire to Kent in the hope of breeding with the sanctuary\u2019s female, Willow.<\/p>\n
However, neither brother was able to create the next generation of cheetahs with her and moved to Africa Alive Zoological Reserve in Suffolk on Tuesday (March 10).<\/p>\n
Deputy head keeper, Ricky Reino, said: \u201cUnfortunately, love wasn\u2019t in the air for Mo, Bolt and Willow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is typical of cheetahs, who are a notoriously difficult species to breed in captivity.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo as part of the international breeding programme management plan, they\u2019re off to Africa Alive and will be introduced to a new female there, and they\u2019ll hopefully take a bit more of a shine to her.<\/p>\n
Mo and Bolt (pictured) have departed Kent. Picture: The Big Cat Sanctuary<\/p>\n
\u201cMoves like this are essential as part of managing a species.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure we are establishing and maintaining the most healthy and diverse genetics for a population in captivity.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuckily, the boys were absolute stars, so just walked straight into their crates, but it\u2019s sad to see them go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bosses added that the brothers \u201calways shared a close bond, becoming firm favourites with our team and visitors alike\u201d.<\/p>\n
Cheetahs are the world\u2019s fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds of up to 68 mph and covering seven metres in a single stride.<\/p>\n
Mo and Bolt leaving Kent. Picture: The Big Cat Sanctuary<\/p>\n
The animals, the only big cat to purr, often weigh between 75 and 125lbs and can be as long as 90 inches, including their tail.<\/p>\n
However, they are Africa\u2019s most endangered big cat, with only about 6,500 left in the wild today due to poaching, prey depletion and habitat loss.<\/p>\n
Keepers at Africa Alive say Mo and Bolt will meet female, Duma, in a bid to hear the pitter-patter of little paws in the future.<\/p>\n