One of the rarest creatures in the world has been given a new home in Kent.

A north Chinese leopard, believed to be extinct in the wild, has moved into the Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF) in Smarden and is possibly the first of its kind to live in the UK.

Tairi, named after the god of thunder in the mythology of Mangareva (French Polynesia), was born in Paris Zoo and was brought from France by road and sea on Friday.

The feisty feline, two next month, has been hiding in his new home since then, only venturing out at dusk while he becomes accustomed to his new surroundings and being parted from his parents for the first time.

The WHF, on Headcorn Road, is a specialist conservation charity which is home to 24 big cats.

Director Mark Edgerley said: "Big cats, and leopards in particular, are very wimpish, nervous animals that are shy by nature and live in isolation.

"He will be able to smell the 23 other big cats and be aware they are close, but not realise they are all in separate cages."

But Tairi still has a healthy appetite eating, which has pleasantly surprised Mr Edgerley.

He said: "It's unusual, as a move like this would usually put a leopard off food for seven to 10 days."

Tairi may be one of a kind in the UK for now, but it is hoped that he will soon have a mate.

North Chinese leopards, like the other big cats at the WHF, are part of a European endangered species breeding programme and the studbook keeper is looking for a suitable partner for Tairi.

Mr Edgerley said: "He's looking for the best possible match genetically.

"We're managing a very, very small population so there are only a few females out there that it would be sensible to breed with this male."