The Houdini big cat that faced being shot because of his runaway antics has released back into the wilderness to hunt and roam at will. There was an international storm last year when it was feared Sylvester would be destroyed after twice escaping from a South African national park. Wily Sylvester evaded capture for three weeks in 2015, killing 28 sheep before being tracked down taking a nap and darted with a tranquiliser.

SANPARKS Sylvester the lion finally released back to the wild

Within a few months of being taken back to Karoo National Park, he was on the run again and sparking fears that he could attack humans.

Now that it appears he finally has a place where he belongs, without threat John Adendorff - Addo Elephant National Park Conservation Manager

The hashtag #SaveSylvester went viral as animal lovers around the world pleaded for him to be spared. Sylvester was eventually traced by his satellite tracking collar and darted from a helicopter before being taken captive. Almost a year on, the authorities have relocated Sylvester to another park and this week he was released back into the wild.

Facts about lions Sun, June 10, 2018 15 things you probably didn't know about these shaggy-haired big cats. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 15 In the wild, lions will live for anything between 12 and 16 years. In captivity, they can survive for as long as 25 years

Within minutes of the fence at his enclosure in the Addo Elephant National Park being cut, Sylvester and another freed lion were feasting on a carcass left to give them some energy before before beginning the challenge of fending for themselves. The striking maned lion soon showed he has lost none of his power or hunting instincts. Addo Elephant National Park Conservation Manager, John Adendorff, said: “On their first night out they caught a kudu and the very next morning a red hartebeest, confirmation that they can successfully fend for themselves in the wild. “Sylvester is already showing signs of being the pride leader, on Sunday night chasing the females off their kill. “Now that it appears he finally has a place where he belongs, without threat, and the fact that he has bonded so closely with the younger male, we are confident that Sylvester will have no need to ever stray again.

SANPARKS Sylvester evaded capture for three weeks in 2015, killing 28 sheep before being tracked down

“His satellite tracking collar location is monitored regularly and easily provides us with an accurate assessment of where the two are.” Sylvester’s new kingdom ranges across almost 60 square miles of the elephant park in an area known as Kuzuko. South African National Parks released a series of photographs showing Sylvester with his young partner leaving the enclosure and then enjoying the early morning sunshine. The young lion and two other lionesses at Kuzuko also have back stories that have seen them overcoming adversity. Sylvester’s sidekick faced being driven out of the pride and possibly killed by more dominant lions when he was the only male in a litter born in 2015. Two female lionesses featured in headlines in May 2015 when their mother died from a suspected snake bite, leaving the cubs to wander for six weeks before being rescued by rangers.