TWO snow leopards that have enthralled visitors to a North West wildlife charity are moving on as part of an international breeding programme.

Loki and Luna were born in May last year at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis near Milnthorpe, sparking a record year for the charity.

They are the first ever snow leopards to be born in the North of England.

Now the male, Loki, is heading to Plock Zoo in Poland where a snow leopard facility is being newly built.

His sister, Luna, will be heading to Parco Faunistico Le Cornelle in Italy, which has a suitable male. Their parents, Tara and Pavan, will be staying in Milnthorpe.

Jo Marsden, who runs Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, said: "It's been absolutely lovely to have the twins born here and they've been a firm favourite with our visitors.

"The international breeding programme is done via a stud book and both Loki and Luna are flagged for future breeding.

“We'll be sorry to see them go, and I'm sure there will be a few tears. But it's tremendous to know we've played a part in helping secure the future of these wonderful animals."

The cubs are not suitable for reintroduction to the wild but they could be moved to captivity in the Himalaya with the eventual aim of re-populating wild areas with captive-bred leopards.