Northern cheetah cubs born at Chester Zoo

The species is endangered in its native north-east Africa

Two endangered northern cheetah cubs have made their first public appearance at Chester Zoo.

The cubs, one male and one female, were born eight weeks ago to mother, KT, and are the second set of cubs born at the zoo in the last two years.

They are beginning to explore, climbing on tree stumps and bouncing around after one another, the zoo said.

Dave Hall, team manager of carnivores, said the unnamed cubs were "very, very playful and a real handful for mum".

The species is endangered in its native north east Africa, as they are seen by farmers as a threat to livestock.

The zoo supports a cheetah conservation project in Namibia, which aims to improve attitudes towards the animals.