Two cheetah brothers have arrived at Chester Zoo as part of an important conservation initiative to help safeguard the species from extinction. 

One-year-old siblings, Kendi and Tafari, have travelled from Yorkshire Wildlife Park in a bid to boost the numbers of Northeast African cheetahs.

They will eventually be joined by genetically matched females to try and boost the numbers of the safety-net population in zoos.

The species is one of the world's rarest big cats, with fewer than 500 now estimated to remain in the wild.

Just 30 years ago, several thousand roamed across Northeast Africa but latest research shows that they are now only found in small, fragmented populations in South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia - having become virtually extinct in the countries of Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. 

Despite the remaining populations living inside protected areas, the cheetahs continue to face mounting threats from habitat loss, conflict with humans as cheetahs turn to hunting livestock and the illegal wildlife trade.

As a result, the species is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Dayna Thain, carnivore keeper at Chester Zoo, said: "At 18 months, the brothers are at a natural stage to become more independent. Young, inquisitive and confident, they're already making themselves at home. 

advertisement

"It's great to see that they share such a close bond as they've been inseparable since the moment they arrived - spending much of their day side-by-side as they explore their new home together. 

"Northeast African cheetah are one of the rarest big cats on the planet and so, in time, we'll be looking to introduce genetically matched females to them as part of the endangered species breeding programme.

"Every successful pairing and every cub born represents a crucial step in the right direction for their ongoing survival. 

"Together, we're hopeful that these efforts will help create a brighter future for some of Africa's most iconic species, like the Northeast African cheetah."

In March 2025, Chester Zoo opened Heart of Africa - the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK and home to 57 iconic African species.

The immersive new zone showcases the zoo's work to protect wildlife across parts of Africa, including its field programmes focused on protecting highly endangered species, while also supporting communities that live alongside them.