Lilleth, the baby lynx, led her captors on a merry dance since making a bold bid for freedom last month.

A police helicopter with thermal imaging technology, baited traps and heat-seeking drones had all been employed in a major hunt for the young wild cat, who escaped a Welsh zoo by taking a giant leap over an electric fence.

Local councillors wrung their hands and high-level meetings were held with veterinary experts.

But after a rather protracted game of hide and seek, the 18-month-old wild cat was unceremoniously shot dead, prompting a political blame game and a huge row over her “cruel and unnecessary” fate.

Tracy Tweedy, 47, co-owner of Borth Animal Kingdom, said she would fight the local council for justice “every step of the way” after being informed that the lynx, whom she insisted had posed no threat to the public, had been killed by a professional game hunter.

"We in no way agreed to or participated in the shooting of our baby Lynx,” she said.

"We are truly devastated and outraged that this happened."