Cheetahs coming to Hiroshima

Chugoku Shinbun reports that a pair of cheetahs are likely to be on their way to Hiroshima soon.

Asa Zoo is currently in negotiations to bring a pair of the world’s fastest land animals, aged 2 and 3 years old, to the zoo from South Africa. They plan to have them on display from March of 2013.

Yesterday, in preparation for the new residents, the current occupants of the 1090 square meter enclosure, 19 blackbuck antelope and a pair of blue cranes, were moved – although I imagine that the new guests would have loved if they could have stayed 😉

The current fence will be increased to 4 meters in height, and will be partly made of clear glass. It is hoped that the new set up will give visitors the opportunity to see the cheetahs do their thing, ie get up a decent speed.

Asa Zoo will be the 10th facility in Japan to host cheetahs and hopes that the pair will breed; nothing pulls in the crowds like some cuddly babies.