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Canterbury and Hythe: Port Lympne and Howletts release cute pictures of cheetah cubs and a baby lemur

Think all the fun is over now that summer has ended?

Not at two animal parks in the county, where three new arrivals are sending the cuteness levels off the chart.

At Port Lympne Reserve in Hythe, keepers have released the first pictures of two cheetah cubs, born to mum Split in July.

One of the new cheetah cubs at Port Lympne exercises his lungs
One of the new cheetah cubs at Port Lympne exercises his lungs

The cubs, as yet unsexed, had been hidden in the thickets of their enclosure by their mum to keep them safe, as she nursed them during the first few weeks.

Animal manager and head of the large carnivore section, Richard Barnes, said: “Split is being a perfect mum, so we are happy for her to get on with it and bond with her cubs. We’re delighted at how strong, furry and fat the cubs are – just how they should be.”

The cheetah cubs with their mum, Split
The cheetah cubs with their mum, Split

Primate keepers at Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, have also welcomed a new addition to their crowned lemur family, currently living in the Walking With Lemurs gardens.

Head primate keeper, Matt Ford, said: “He is already starting to come away from his mother, Epi and explore the garden, but she doesn’t let him out of her sight for long. The whole lemur family seem to be very taken with their latest member and are often spotted giving him lots of attention.”

The baby lemur with the crowned lemur family at Howletts near Canterbury
The baby lemur with the crowned lemur family at Howletts near Canterbury

Animal lovers can also have a hand in naming the newbies as you can vote on the Port Lympne Facebook page and Howletts’ Facebook page, with winners announced on Friday, September 8.

* You can also get to see them this month for less, as both sites are offering a 20% saving on day entry tickets when booked online until Saturday, September 30. To claim your discount, visit aspinallfoundation.org/howletts and aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne

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