Staff at an animal sanctuary are overjoyed at a striking new arrival.

A female jaguar cub has been born at Smarden Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford.

The Big Cat Sanctuary welcomes a rare new addition

The cub, born to Neron and Keira – part of the sanctuary's breeding programme, is known as a melanistic jaguar, a rare type with black fur.

The little bundle of joy is being nicknamed Baby and will be named through a public competition later and viewable to the public in August.

Baby is a third generation jaguar at the sanctuary, with her grandparents also in an enclosure there.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford