Rare big cat in Rostock: Serval moves people’s minds!

Rare big cat in Rostock: Serval moves people’s minds!

A mysterious animal is causing a stir in the Rostock district. Since the end of May there have been repeated sightings of a serval cat or possibly a Savannah cat in the area around Sanitz and most recently near Schwaan. The State Office for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Geology (LUNG) has recorded the confirmed observations and is in close contact with the responsible authorities. But while citizens speculate about the fascinating animal, the authorities are wondering what measures should be taken. NDR reports that the exact origin of the animal is still unclear, but that it probably came from private keeping.

The experts are faced with the challenge of correctly identifying the animal because while the serval lives as a wild animal in its native Africa, the Savannah cat is a mix of serval and domestic cat. However, a clear difference cannot often be seen upon inspection. Frauke Parr, spokeswoman for the LUNG, emphasizes the importance of an expert opinion for the precise classification of the animal. The serval is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Endangered Species and the Federal Wildlife Conservation Act, further complicating the situation. Authorities have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the public and citizens are asked to report any sightings in order to capture the animal alive. Northern Courier informs about the possibility of passing on sightings directly to the authorities.

Effective containment measures

In order to safely capture the serval cat, the authorities are planning to set up a live trap. Dealing with the situation transparently and responsibly is a top priority, especially because servals can be potentially dangerous even if they do not pose a direct threat to humans, experts note. Manfred Poniatowski, the chairman of the Schwaan animal protection association, has already shared a video of the animal on Facebook, which arouses the public's curiosity and fuels the discussion about the unusual animal.

The serval cat is known for its impressive appearance and unique character. It can weigh up to 18 kg and has a shoulder height of up to 62 cm. In addition, their jumping skills are remarkable - they can catapult themselves up to three meters into the air, making them exceptional hunters. Servals have a primary diet of rodents, small birds and reptiles, making them fascinating pets for many animal lovers. Savannah Cats offers detailed information about the species and its husbandry in Germany.

However, keeping servals requires approval and is subject to strict requirements. In some federal states, such as Bavaria and Hesse, keeping these big cats is completely prohibited. Anyone who is thinking about getting a serval as a pet should definitely delve deeply into the matter and obtain comprehensive information, because the reality is often different than the idea of ​​a purring, cute kitten.

For today, the question remains whether authorities will be able to capture the animal quickly and safely. Citizens are called upon to be vigilant and share their observations while experts continue to work in the background to identify and, if necessary, rescue the unknown cat.