A popular cheetah born and raised at Howletts has tragically been killed while hunting just two years after his release into the wild.

Four-year-old Saba, who once infamously escaped his enclosure at the Kent animal park, was pierced though the heart by the horn of what is thought to have been an antelope.

His death has come as a huge shock to Howletts boss Damian Aspinall, who with his wife hand-reared Saba before he was released into a sprawling South African nature reserve in early 2020.

He had been thriving in his new surroundings and enjoying a life of freedom with his brother Nairo - the first captive-born cheetahs to ever be successfully rewilded from Europe.

But tragedy struck after they reached the summit of the second highest peak in their 20,000-acre reserve.

It is thought Saba had caught his prey on the mountain, but suffered a stab wound to the heart while on top of the animal.

A post-mortem determined the fatal chest injury was caused by a horn, likely from a species of antelope.

The news has devastated those who knew the much-loved big cat, but the Aspinall Foundation, which runs Howletts, says it has "taken comfort in the fact Saba died a hero, hunting as a truly wild cheetah and pursuing his prey".

The Foundation, which says Saba's death would have been quick, states that he will be given a "dignified burial in his favourite spot in the vast expanse of the Great Karoo reserve".

Saba had enjoyed almost two years in South Africa after being flown from England with his brother at the start of 2020.

Before he departed, Saba was raised by Mr Aspinall at his mansion at Howletts, which had its own enclosure for the cheetah.

Saba's early months and years were documented on the Instagram page of Mr Aspinall's wife, Victoria.

He hit the headlines in October 2018 after managing to escape into a neighbouring enclosure, causing two panicked deer to run into wooden fencing and die.

His release into the wild had been hailed an "incredible success" as he became an entirely self-sufficient hunter - effortlessly taking down large prey such as kudu and blesbok with a cheetah’s trademark speed and grace.

But sadly his time in the wild has come to an end.

His brother Nairo, however, is still going strong and will continue to lead a wild life in the sanctuary at Mount Camdeboo.

A statement from the Aspinall Foundation has shed further light on Saba's tragic death.

It reads: "A full investigation has been carried out and has allowed us to build a clear picture of what happened on that sad day.

"Tracking collar data shows that Saba and his brother Nairo scaled the second highest mountain in the region in pursuit of the prey which congregates there to graze.

"After Saba reached the summit, our monitoring team noticed his tracking collar was no longer updating. Unwilling to wait the 10 hours it would take to reach him by foot, the team deployed a helicopter to investigate.

"Saba’s body was quickly discovered, and it was immediately apparent that he had sustained a chest wound. He was airlifted from the mountain top.

"His death was quick; he died within minutes of the stab wound to his heart, and given the inaccessibility of the location, there is simply no way anyone could have rescued him in time.

"We will never forget Saba, who, along with his brother, was a pioneer for the species: the first captive-born cheetahs to ever be successfully rewilded from Europe.

"He enjoyed two remarkable years in the wild."