Cleo the cheetah is the new rock star attraction at Edinburgh Zoo

Visitors to Edinburgh Zoo can now spot a cheetah for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century – after the new star attraction was introduced to the public.

Cleo, a five-year-old Northeast African cheetah, arrived at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction last week from Fota Wildlife Park near Cork in Ireland.

The majestic big cat – the first of her kind at the zoo since 2000 – spent time getting used to her new surroundings before finally going on show on Sunday afternoon.

Plans are already being made to add a male later this year, with hopes of the first cubs next year.

Donald Gow, Living Collections Operations Manager at the Zoo, said: “We are delighted to finally be able to introduce visitors to our new cheetah, Cleo.

“This spectacular and elegant big cat arrived in Edinburgh last week and has spent the past few days just settling into her new surroundings.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from our members and visitors already and we know she will be a very popular addition to our collection of fascinating, beautiful and iconic animals.”

Keepers opened up the public walkway next to Cleo’s enclosure at 2.30pm on Sunday, only for the big cat to keep visitors waiting as she finished a nap indoors. She eventually appeared at the door of her new den, pausing briefly before gracefully introducing herself to families – some who had travelled from as far as the north of England just to see her – with a circuit of her new home.

Four year old Etta Rodgerson, from Bamburgh in Northumberland, was amongst the first to see the stunning cheetah after she emerged from her indoor enclosure.

Etta said: “We came just to see Cleo, and she came out and looked right at me. I’m so excited. She’s lovely.”

Mum Amy Rodgerson, 33, said: “We drove an hour and a half just to see the new cheetah. It was well worth it. She’s stunning.”

Eight year old Leo Rooney, whose family from Edinburgh are RZSS members, said: “I couldn’t wait to see Cleo as soon as I knew she was here. I spotted her straight away. I love animals and she’s my new favourite – my sister will be so jealous I’ve seen her.”

David Field, RZSS’s Chief Executive, has revealed plans to breed the animals, with a male expected later this year.

He said: “There is a need in the wider European programme for cheetahs to set up new breeding pairs. We are taking this beautiful female who will settle in and later on this year we will take a male. Hopefully next year we will have wonderful cheetah cubs.”

The RZSS has redesigned a large enclosure, previously home to hunting dogs and red river hogs.

Cleo and her future mate will be able to enjoy open space, tree trunks for climbing and platforms to survey their surroundings. There are also spaces for cubs if breeding plans are successful.

Mr Field said the “exciting new species” was not a direct replacement for the giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, which returned to China last December after 12 years in Scotland, but one of “multiple headline animals” at the attraction.

The cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal, easily distinguished by its spotted coat and black tear-like facial streaks.

The Northeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) – one of four subspecies – is considered vulnerable to extinction by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Those remaining are found in the northern Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The animals, which all have a unique spot pattern, are threatened by poaching, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, habitat loss, and lack of prey.