Bolt was born alongside his siblings including Mo at Longleat Safari Park on 1st August 2018 (brothers pictured above
Bolt and his brother Mo were born as part of the co-ordinated breeding programme to help maintain genetic diversity within the captive population
These two brothers are truly magnificent to see sitting together up high on the rocks in their enclosure
Bolt has a rounder shaped face than his brother Mo
Bolt and Mo arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary on International Cheetah Day - 4th December 2023
We are hoping that either Bolt or Mo, whoever Willow is more taken with, will sire cubs with her in the future
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£1,000 per year to join
Bolt was born on 1st August 2018 as one of a litter of four, one of them being his brother Mo at Longleat Safari Park. These two magnificent brothers arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary on International Cheetah Day, 4th December 2023.
The brothers were given a breeding recommendation as potential breeding partners for the Sanctuary’s female resident cheetah Willow. Willow is five years old and definitely ready to take her place in the breeding programme by producing cubs in the future if possible.
The cheetah is the planet’s fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds of up to 68mph with a stride of 7 metres. However, it is also Africa’s most endangered wild cat too. There are estimated to be only 7,000 cheetahs left in the wild today.
They are narrow and lightweight body with long slender limbs with a coat which is covered in single spotted markings. The distinctive tear-drop facial markings the cheetah are one of the most easily identifiable felids.
The ability to run so fast can only be maintained for a short period of time. Adaptations which help them to run at these speeds include a flexible spine and tail, which flattens at the tip to provide a counter balance for sudden changes in direction. (Acting like a rudder) Hard footpads and semi-retractable blunt claws help to grip the ground similar to how a sprinters running spikes help them to increase speed.
The future of this magnificent species remains uncertain across their range. Extinct in 25 countries and possibly extinct in a further 13 countries, cheetahs have vanished from approximately 91 percent of their historic range. They are extinct in Asia apart from a single, isolated population of perhaps 50 individuals in central Iran. Cheetahs are listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN.
Cheetah have larger litters of cubs than many other species, this maybe due to the high mortality rate of cubs in their habitats. Being that they are never at the top of the food chain within their range, these cats are more passive and much less likely to walk away from confrontation than to fight. These agile felines hunt during the day to avoid competition from other powerful predators such as lions, hyenas and leopards their tear marks absorb light to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare in exactly the same way as wearing a pair of shades! Cheetahs prey on rabbits, warthogs, springboks, gazelles and birds.
March 22, 2024
The new series kicks off with a double dose of excitement from the iconic San Diego Zoo and its breathtaking Safari Park in the USA. With over 15,000 animal residents, including Komodo dragons, Galapagos tortoises, and polar bears, get ready to come face to face with nature’s wonders. Join brothers – Aaron, Tyler, and Cam – as they embark on a fact-finding mission
The Big Cat Sanctuary is pleased to announce the newest addition to the family, Kuda, a Sri Lankan Rusty Spotted Cat. Kuda is 5 years old and was born on the 30th of April 2018 at Hamerton Zoo Park. He joined us on Tuesday 13th February after a smooth 3-hour journey from Hamerton.
The London Beach Country Hotel Spa and Golf Club have partnered with The Big Cat Sanctuary for many years and they offer benefits of an excellent charity scheme. The way it works is you are able to enjoy Sunday lunch, cream teas, lunches, dinners and even a round of golf and the full value of the food including the green fees for golf ate donated to The Big Cat Sanctuary as the charity of your choice.
