Mystery Serval Sighting in Bjørnafjorden: Is it an Imported Leopard? Police and Norwegian Environment Agency Investigate

Last week, several observations of a large feline were made at Sørstrøno in Bjørnafjorden municipality. The animal walked along the street, and both the police and the Norwegian Environment Agency were involved in the case.

The big question was whether it could be an imported serval, which originally belongs on the African savannas.

– An accident

On Friday evening, the owner reported to the local newspaper The middle side. She could tell that the animal had come home, and confirmed that it was a serval.

Furthermore, the cat woman said that the serval is two years old, and that it has been taken into the country by something else.

– I know that what I have done is illegal. At the same time, I have tried to do everything else right. He is neutered and vaccinated, I walk him on a leash every day and he has his own airing yard.

She tells Mittsiden that it was an accident that it disappeared, and that she hopes the Norwegian Environment Agency will let her keep the serval.

Considering reporting

The Norwegian Environment Agency says they take the illegal trade in wild animals very seriously.

– We are considering whether to file a police report on the matter. It is not allowed to have such animals as pets, says senior adviser Nils Kristian Grønvik in the Norwegian Environment Agency.

He first spoke about developments in the case to NRK. This week he will meet with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

– Among other things, we must agree on what to do if we find the owner and the animal. A consequence of such illegal trade is that the animals often have to be killed. It is a risk you take by bringing in illegal animals. These animals are not allowed at home, states Grønvik to BA.

As of now, neither the Norwegian Environment Agency nor the Norwegian Food Safety Authority know who the owner is.

Endangered

– We do not work actively to track them down, the police will have to take care of that if necessary.

A serval can be up to one meter long and weigh around 20 kilograms.

– These animals are in danger of becoming extinct, and are on the list of species that should not be traded, states Grønvik.

also read

Catwoman has reported: – The animal has come home

2023-06-27 19:20:48


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