Overview
- A serval named Nia escaped from Krefeld Zoo on Friday, June 5, and zoo staff, Krefeld police and the municipal order service immediately began a coordinated search.
- Officials say the animal is shy and not known to pose a danger to the public and they have given phone numbers for sightings to speed a safe recovery.
- Authorities asked residents to stay calm, note the exact location, leash dogs, keep cats indoors, and to not chase, corner, feed or try to capture the animal.
- Zoo staff reported a midday sighting on the zoo grounds near the bird house and said they surrounded the area to prevent the serval from leaving while stressing any shot would be with a tranquilizer gun if needed.
- Servals are African wildcats with long legs and spotted coats that often hide in brush; German officials note they are sometimes kept privately and recovering the animal quickly reduces stress and risk to both people and the animal.