Twin 13-week-old cheetah cubs enjoy their big day as they are allowed out for the first time at Longleat 

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Two rare cheetah cubs that are deemed vital to saving the endangered big cat species have made their first public appearance.

Twin 13 week-old cubs Poppy and Winston ventured outside for the first time at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire where they are part of a breeding programme to boost numbers of the big cats.

The pair, both still sporting Mohawk-style juvenile fur, made the most of their new found freedom as they were allowed outside under the supervision of their mother Wilma.  

Twin 13 week-old cubs Poppy and Winston ventured outside for the first time at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire

The adorable siblings  are part of a breeding programme to boost numbers of the big cats - now classified as an endangered species 

The pair, both still sporting Mohawk-style juvenile fur, made the most of their new found freedom as they were allowed outside under the supervision of their mother Wilma

The cheetah is officially classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species which means it is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve.

In 2008 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated there to be around 7,500-10,000 adult cheetahs in Africa and there are concerns the numbers have decreased significantly since then.

Their keeper Eloise Kilbane said: 'It's amazing to see how fast they are developing and fascinating to watch their reactions to the outside world.

'Both of them were initially a little disconcerted by the wet grass and kept trying to wipe the water off their paws. Poppy also got a leaf stuck to her back and couldn't quite work out how to get it off.

'However it wasn't long before they were demonstrating the cheetah's famous turn of speed as they chased each other around.

'Both mum Wilma and dad Carl have very valuable genetics within the European population as they came to us from a captive breeding population in Pretoria, South Africa.'

Their mum Wilma and dad Carl (pictured) have 'very valuable genetics' within the European population, having from a captive breeding population in Pretoria, South Africa

Poppy explores: she and her brother will remain reliant on their mother for up to two years as they grow and develop

Initially disconcerted by the wet grass, the cubs attempted to stop their paws from getting wet as they explored their territory 

Eloise added: 'This means Winston and Poppy are also genetically distinct from the vast majority of the cheetah within Europe, which means their birth is even more important.'

Despite being the fastest developing member of the cat family, the cubs will remain reliant on their mother for up to two years.

Cheetahs are the world's quickest land animals, capable of top speeds of 71 miles per hour. While running they can cover four strides in a second with each stride measuring up to eight metres.

The inquisitive cubs will be vital to the cheetah population - which has significantly decreased in the wild