Carrie Johnson, a wildlife charity worker who raised a cheetah for her conservation efforts in South Africa, tragically killed it after the horns of an antelope pierced its heart during a South African hunt.
Saba (four years) was born to Damian Aspinall who manages the Aspinall Foundation. He became together with Nairo the first European captive-born cheetah successfully rewilded.
In February 2013, he was taken to South Africa’s private Game Nature Reserve near Cape Town. The pair have been enjoying their new environment and thriving, while also taking care of themselves.
Tragically, however, the tragedy occurred at the top of the second-highest peak in the area of 20,000 acres. It is believed that Saba was able to catch his prey and then suffered a fatal stabbing wound while sitting on top.
Cheetah, four-year-old Cheetah, was raised by Carrie Johnson, a wildlife charity. Unfortunately, it died from injuries sustained by an antelope’s horn during a South Africa hunt.
Saba (four years old) was born to Damian Aspinall. He runs the Aspinall Foundation and is the founder of the Aspinall Foundation. Saba became, with Nairo, the first captive-born Cheetah ever successfully re-wilded in Europe.
Saba was previously pictured with Boris Johnson in 2019 before he became Prime Minister
Boris Johnson’s spouse Carrie was a former Conservative Party communications chief and began work for the Aspinall Foundation in January. It is run by Tory donor Damian Aspinall.
Prior to 2019, when Mr Johnson became Prime Minister, the Cheetah was pictured holding the arm of the Mr Johnson.
According to Damian’s wife Victoria, who works as the head of communications alongside Mrs Johnson, Saba ‘made quite an impression’.
At the time of the meeting, she said: ‘Damian and I invited Boris to sit in Saba’s indoor quarters with us and introduce himself.
‘Boris nervously joked, “It’s like meeting someone with strong but undeclared views on Brexit. I’m not sure whether he’s going to give me a slobbery kiss or take my head off!” In the end, Saba just nibbled Boris’s woolly hat.’
The fatal injury to the ear caused by an antlope horn was discovered in post mortem.
Following the discovery that his tracking collar wasn’t updating data, the specialists monitoring team ordered a helicopter.
A spokesperson for the Aspinall Foundation stated that “Saba”‘s body was found quickly and immediately revealed that he had suffered a chest injury. The mountaintop was reached and he was taken to safety.
His death was rapid; it occurred within minutes of his heart attack.
Victoria shared his progress publicly on her Instagram account. After escaping from a neighboring enclosure and causing panic among two deer, Victoria made the news in October 2018.
The fatal injury to the brain caused by an antlope horn was discovered in post-mortem.
Saba will receive a dignified burial in Mount Camdeboo, his favorite spot within the Great Karoo reserve.
“We won’t forget Saba and his brother who were pioneers for the species, the first successful rewilding of European-born captive-born Cheetahs. His two years spent in the wild was extraordinary.
Saba was brought up in Howletts Wildlife Park at Canterbury, Kent. This park is run by the Aspinall Foundation along with Port Lympne Safari Park at Hythe, Kent.
They are able to take solace in Saba dying a hero and hunting like wild cheetahs, chasing his prey’.
Damien Aspinall, a Howletts mansion owner, raised this once large cat. It had its very own enclosure to house the cheetah.
Victoria shared his progress publicly on her Instagram account. After escaping from a neighboring enclosure and causing panic among two deer, the incident made him headlines.
Saba will now receive a dignified burial in Mount Camdeboo, his favorite spot in the Great Karoo reserve. Nairo will still live there.