Wild cats move into their new Shropshire home

Servals Duma and Zeus arrived at Hoo Farm in Preston on the Weald Moors, near Telford, before Christmas as cubs and have been in crèche accommodation. But they will soon move into phase one of their new home, with many climbing areas to play and live.

While it is hoped the animals may be in the enclosure ready for the Bank Holiday, it could be two weeks before they are settled in their new home.

Servals are medium sized wild cats that can be found in the South of Africa. Closely related to cheetahs, they are the second fastest cats with a speed of up to 50mph and can also jump up to nine feet high.

Servals tend to live in small groups, with the males more communal than females.

As Duma and Zeus were raised in captivity they will be tame and used to humans.

Will Dorrell, manager of exotic animals at the farm, said: "I am pleased with the progress of the new enclosure which took around three weeks to build."

Phase one of the enclosure is expected to open within the next two weeks while phase two will open in the summer, which will boast a larger living space for the two exotic cats and a pool to cool off in the sun.

Hoo Farm will hold animal talks and feeding presentations on the endangered animals as well as an exclusive predator experience, where visitors can go into the enclosure with the trained servals for an extra fee.

Several baby lambs are also being born at the centre, and they will be at the farm for visitors to see throughout the Easter break.