Big cat rescued after caracal enclosure collapses at Hoo Farm - with video

The freak winds twisted and bent one of the walls of the caracal enclosure, leaving a gap where the animals could escape.

Fortunately Becky Dorrell, wife of farm boss Will, the son of the founders Carolyn and Edward, was nearby and managed to grab caracal Shaka, a big cat, and lock him in the bed area.

The winds also moved a new metal aviary about two feet from its original position.

The farm, in Preston on the Weald Moors, was due to move in the new bird residents of the enclosure at the start of this week, but fortunately had been delayed.

Mr Dorrell said they were lucky that the situation was not worse than it was.

He said: "We heard a huge roar and there was a very strong gust of wind.

"It managed to twist a wall of the enclosure which caused a gap, fortunately my wife Becky was at the enclosure at the time and able to get him into the bed area so it was crisis averted."

Shaka, who is about two and a half years old, has been at Hoo Farm since he was a baby.

Mr Dorrell said: "It was far less disastrous than it could have been."

He said the two enclosures are in a line, so it is clear to see where the strong wind swept across the animal park.

Workers were yesterday out at the farm assessing the damage and making repairs, which Will says are not major, but have required large machinery on site which will have a cost.

Hoo Farm has not been the only animal centre that has been affected by the weather.