Helicopters have been deployed to help capture the big cat that has been fitted with a tracker collar since his first escape last year.

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South African National Parks spokesman Rey Thakhuli says three-year old Sylvester will not be taken back to the Karoo wildlife sanctuary when he’s captured.

Thakuli says the lion has now been identified as a problem animal and will be put down.

Sylvester escaped last year, believed to have been driven out by older lions.

He roamed around the area outside the park for three weeks living on 29 domestic animals and one kudu that he killed.

The search cost the parks board 50 000 euros

On Sunday he burrowed under the fence loosened by recent heavy rain.

It’s believed he is attracted by easy prey outside the park

He has already killed a cow.

The 14-man tracker team is scouring a  mountainous region 20 kilometers from the park.

They are picking up signals from Sylvester’s tracker collar.

The public has been warned not to approach him.

The last wild lion was killed in the region in 1842

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