NSW: Young cheetah on display at Taronga Zoo

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2001
NSW: Young cheetah on display at Taronga Zoo

SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - Four young cheetahs are on show at Sydney's Taronga Zoo while
being prepared for their permanent home at Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.

It is the first time the wild cat species has been at the Sydney zoo in more than 20 years.

The cheetahs, from South Africa, were eight months old, half a metre tall and still
fluffy, Taronga Zoo spokesman Mark Williams said.

They were bred at De Wildt Wildlife Park and already had spent a month in quarantine
at Taronga before going on public exhibition on Good Friday.

At first they were shy, but as they have become more familiar with their surroundings,
they had become "as bold as brass", coming right to the front of the glass, Mr Williams
said.

The zoo will be hosting special cheetah talks, feeds and information sessions for visitors
during the school holidays.

After a two-month sojourn in Sydney the spotted cats will move to their new home in
mid-western NSW.

AAP rk/cd/bwl

KEYWORD: CHEETAHS (WITH FACTBOX)

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