A ZOO keeper is hoping a revised zoo licence will allow him to keep his cheetahs and camel on site.

Eagle Heights owner Alan Ames, 55, is to be issued with a draft of a revised zoo licence after Sevenoaks District Council found he had category one animals on his reserve last March.

The draft will outline conditions Mr Ames has to meet in order for the Eynsford-based park to remain open with the animals, which includes three cheetahs and a camel.

The zoo also houses 130 birds of prey and 26 rescued husky dogs.

If Mr Ames, who used to be in the army, does not accept the new conditions, he can appeal them at a magistrates’ court.

Speculating on what the conditions could be, Mr Ames told News Shopper he may be required to upgrade the park’s perimeter fence.

But he says he is unlikely to get planning permission from the council to put up the type of fence required, as the zoo falls on green belt land.

He told News Shopper as a result, the park may have to close or move elsewhere.

The father-of-two, who visits around 100 schools each year lecturing on his work, said: “My life has been a misery since this happened.

“The effect this has had is unbelievable.

“We feel total despondency.”

“We are the greatest environmental reserve in this area, but it could all be destroyed.

“Well I’m not a politician - I’m a warrior.”

A council spokesman said: “Draft revised zoo licence conditions have been issued to Eagle Heights.

“The council issued the current zoo licence in 2006, before many of the category one animals such as the camel and cheetahs, were added to the collection.

“The Zoo Licensing Act categorises zoo animals into three risk levels on the basis of their likely ferocity and ability to cause harm.

“Category one is the highest risk.”

This is not the first time Eagle Heights has had problems with the council.

In September 2009, Mr Ames had his appeal to keep a mobile home on site for security rejected after the council found it breached greenbelt land regulations.

Mr Ames says he was consequently forced to sleep in his car to guard the wildlife park, which had suffered a spate of break-ins and thefts.

These included chickens, ferrets and ducks as well as an attempt to steal his Husky puppies.

Mr Ames, who has since bought guard dogs for the park, said: I’ve had so many break-ins.

“Being robbed and living in fear of what will happen next is awful.”