African Serval Rescued in Missouri After Reported Sightings of "Crazy-Looking Cat"

Farmers in Missouri recently reported sightings of a "crazy-looking cat," but it turned out to be a wild African serval. Thankfully, the stray cat made it through the chilly winter without incident and was rescued. The way the animal ended up there is a mystery, but it is now said to be safe and secure at a nearby sanctuary.

The strange story was shared by the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, which specializes in caring for big cats that have been mistreated or left behind, late last month.

"Crazy-Looking Cat"

According to the refuge, farmers had glimpses of the African serval on their property over six months; one of them described it as a "crazy-looking cat." They concluded that the animal couldn't remain unperturbed after discovering a few feathers and several bones along their hay bales regularly.

Twelve hours after setting up a live trap intended to capture a wild animal or pest humanely, they had captured their uninvited guest. The farmers then took care of their catch by providing it with venison and water. Even a quick examination by a nearby veterinarian revealed that it was female, probably three years old, and unmicrochipped. The farmers called the wildlife refuge, which is approximately two hours away in the nearby state of Arkansas, after speaking with the authorities. Staff soon arrived at the farm to assist with the urgent rescue.

There's no telling what tomorrow will bring around here, the president of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Tanya Smith, said in a statement.

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African Servals

Servals (Leptailurus serval) are the only remaining members of their genus and are wild cats native to Africa's temperate regions. according to Animal Diversity Web. They are bigger than the typical domestic cat, despite not being big cats such as tigers or lions.

They grow to a length of about 24 inches and weigh between 20 pounds and 40 pounds as adults. Domestic cats, on the other hand, are typically between 13 and 16 inches long and weigh 10 to 12 pounds. But like your neighborhood tabby, servals hunt alone and usually target insects, rodents, birds, and reptiles.

Only humans are the main predators of African servals. The most likely rivals for prey and territory are leopards and hyenas. African servals make baffling darting leaps away when they realize they are near a member of a different species.

The Fate of Exotic Pets

Although its origins are unknown, the refuge claims that the most likely explanation is that it was once the property of a Savannah Cat or backyard breeder. The serval may have intentionally released itself into the wild, which is a tragically common outcome for exotic pets. The refuge points out that smaller cat species like the serval would be exempt from the recently signed Big Cat Public Safety Act, which forbids the private ownership of specific wild cats as pets going forward.

Regarding the serval, she is currently settling in at the sanctuary and is reportedly relishing a comfortable mulch bed. The refuge intends to keep the public informed of her condition, including her name, Gizmodo reports, Gizmodo reports.