Sanctuary adopts 'beautiful' Asian Golden Cat

A wild cat sanctuary in Kent has spoken of its excitement at adopting what is believed to be the only Asian Golden Cat in the UK.

The Big Cat Sanctuary near Smarden in Kent, has given the cat, called Frank, a new home after he moved from a zoo in Hertfordshire.

Sanctuary curator Briony Smith said staff were "really excited" and it was "an amazing opportunity to educate our guests on this unique species".

Frank was one of a number of cats rescued and re-homed after their owner was convicted of animal welfare charges.

The Asian Golden Cat is native to South East Asia but due to deforestation of its natural habitat, is considered a vulnerable species.

Ms Smith said their new adoptee was a "beautiful" terracotta orange with "stunning" blue eyes and lots of white stripes on his face.

"He's settling in incredibly well and we look forward to getting to know him," she added.

Meanwhile, an African lioness called Yuna, which the sanctuary took in last year, has also settled well after her arrival from Ukraine, the facility said.

The three-year-old had been traumatised when debris from a missile attack landed 300m (984ft) from her small enclosure in Ukraine.

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