A wildlife sanctuary has revealed the death of one of their oldest animals.

Staff at Port Lympne in Hythe say they are "heartbroken" at the loss of Ambah the margay.

The much-loved cat passed away aged 28, making her the oldest margay – a species of small cat from South America – in Europe.

She was seven years older than the next eldest margay on the continent which lives at Magdeburg Zoo, Germany.

Classified as near threatened on wildlife red lists, margays are nocturnal woodland cats native to forests of Central and South America.

They were hunted illegally for the wildlife trade up unitl the 1990s, and their population continues to decline due to loss of habitat following deforestation.

Ambah arrived at Port Lympne in February 2005, with keepers saying she" made her mark on the carnivore section with her considerable charm and boisterousness".

Small carnivore keeper Katie Lound said: "Ambah was a firm favourite amongst our team.

"She was a very spicy character and her favourite hobbies included hanging off our boots and harassing all the keepers for food.

"She was loved by all members of staff who worked with her and we will miss her very much."