Staff at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch say three cheetahs which escaped earlier today posed no danger to the public.
It is understood three male cheetahs escaped from their enclosures around 12.30pm.
Full emergency procedures were taken immediately, Orana park’s chief executive Lynn Anderson said.
“People were immediately ushered to safe houses,” she said.
The animals were re-secured within half an hour of their escape.
“The cheetahs escaped through a rusting fence that had been identified earlier for repairs,” Ms Anderson said.
While the cheetahs were able to swim the moat which covers the perimeter of the park’s fence, Ms Anderson says they were of no danger to the public.
“The risk to human life was low. However, any risk to the public is unacceptable.”
The team at Orana has been praised for their quick action in recapturing the cheetahs.
A full investigation has been launched.
The park has 20 cheetahs – considered the fastest running animals in the world. The three which escaped are all believed to be five-years-old.
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