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Inka the jaguar takes first steps outside in Big Cat Sanctuary in Ashford

The adorable moment a young jaguar cub takes her first steps outside has been caught on camera.

Four-month-old Inka the black jaguar was caught exploring the outdoors for the first time in Ashford's Big Cat Sanctuary.

Watch: Inka the jaguar cub takes her first steps outside

The cute footage shows little Inka – who has received both of her vaccinations – poking her head out curiously from behind her hatch.

With her mum Keira giving her an encouraging nudge of assurance and staying by her side, the young cat sets off to explore.

A Big Cat Sanctuary spokeswoman said: "Before we knew it, Inka began to explore her new home, she wandered around, smelling everything, and taking in her new surroundings.

"In no time at all, Keira and Inka began playing together, chasing each other around and jumping on one another. Inka even made her way onto the top of the tree platform all by herself. Mum, Keira has been so patient whilst Inka has been growing and becoming feistier by the day. She has definitely won the 'Mum of the Year' award".

Inka the jaguar has been under the media spotlight before. Photo: Big Cat Sanctuary
Inka the jaguar has been under the media spotlight before. Photo: Big Cat Sanctuary

This is not the first time that adventurous big kitten has made the news.

Inka, who was named in a competition that also raised more than £10,000 for Jaguar conservation in Costa Rica, was recently the subject of an online fracas between the sanctuary and an infamous Netflix star.

Carol Baskin, who shot to infamy in the documentary Tiger King, criticised the sanctuary after Inka's birth, saying it had made the newborn a "prisoner for life".

"It is shameful that Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England is breeding and thus obviously not a sanctuary," said Mrs Baskin, who was accused on the smash show of feeding her missing husband to lions.

The sanctuary shot back in an open letter, saying that its aim is "to help provide a future for some of the most endangered and iconic cats on the planet".

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

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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