Shropshire Star

Video: Telford zoo wins permission to build cheetah enclosure

A Shropshire zoo has been given permission to build a new enclosure that will allow it to welcome cheetahs to the site.

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Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom, near Telford, has received the backing of Telford & Wrekin Council and has launched a campaign to raise £100,000 to fund the project.

The planned cheetah enclosure would be located to the south of the zoo and be served by a hard track running from the entrance to the site.

The animals would be housed in a large enclosure that would also have an animal house and caged run.

The whole site would be enclosed by a large perimeter fence.

A fundraising appeal on Crowdfunder has raised almost £600 so far, with backers being offered rewards.

Hoo Farm's cheetahs will be part of a breeding programme, and they will act as an ambassador for their wild cousins.

If the crowd funding is successful, Hoo Farm hopes to receive a coalition of three male cheetahs.

The plans were passed by the council under delegated powers.

A message on the Crowdfunder page reads: "Our enclosure will be a large paddock of approximately one acre with plenty of space for them to run.

There will also be high platforms and a waterhole to act as enrichment. The housing will, naturally, conform to all zoo regulations.

"Our cheetah will be sourced ethically from within the European zoo system."

The message on the fundraising site added: "2016, being our 25th anniversary, seems to finally be the year that we can push ahead with this amazing opportunity. However, we need your help."

Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/hoo-cheetah-project to donate to the project.

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