Lion Sylvester

South African lion called
Sylvester who achieved global
fame by twice escaping from his
reserve has been rewarded for his
behaviour.
He is being given the chance to
grow into the role of dominant male
at a new park complete with two
young lionesses.
The country's parks service said they
believed he had gone on the run to
escape the threat of two older males
and that allowing to become an alpha
male in his own right - complete with
the chance to build a pride - would
quell his lust for adventure.
Sylvester at home in Karoo National Park.
Fundisile Mketeni, the chief executive
of SanParks, said: "This lion, at three
years of age, is still young enough to
bond with the two females and
ultimately establish himself as the
resident pride male”.
Last June, he went on a deadly three-
week rampage after escaping
from Karoo National Park. He killed
28 sheep over a range of more
than 180 miles before he was found
taking a nap, tranquilised with a
dart and airlifted back home.
Sylvester being captured following an escape
in October last year.
He repeated the feat with a second
break-out last month, provoking a
public outcry when officials said he
might have to be killed for posing a
threat to humans.
Sylvester is now destined for
the Addo Elephant National Park in
the Eastern Cape province, where he
will be introduced to the two lionesses
in a 494-acre enclosure.
Mr Mketeni added: “We remain
committed to our conservation
mandate and can give the public
assurance that this decision was in the
best interests of the animal and
conservation."