African wildcat on loose after escaping Polish village

A serval, a wildcat native to Africa, is on the run after escaping captivity in a Polish village. Its owner is urging local residents not to approach the animal, which is described as shy but capable of scratching if someone attempts to capture it.

The animal, named Sasza, went missing two days ago during feeding time, its owner told the Polish Press Agency (PAP). She had kept it in an aviary in the village of Bartąg in northern Poland.

The escape has been reported to local police, and the owner has also appealed for help via social media. However, because the animal moves quickly, she fears it could already have strayed quite far.

“We haven't been able to locate him, so we are asking anyone who may have spotted him, for example in the forests near the villages of Bartąg or Ruś, to please contact us,” she said.

Sasza is microchipped, registered with local authorities, and weighs around 25 kilograms. He stands about 65 centimeters tall at the shoulder and has distinctive features, including long legs, large ears, and a short tail. The species is known for its ability to leap up to three meters while hunting.

According to the owner, the serval is timid and likely to avoid people, especially strangers. The public is advised not to intervene if they spot him, but instead to alert the authorities or the owner. A trap cage is being prepared in an effort to safely retrieve the animal.

Under Polish law, servals can be kept in private homes without a special permit, provided they are registered with the local authorities. The animals are native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they live as a solitary carnivores, hunting rodents, birds, reptiles, insects and frogs.

Main image credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia Commons (under CC BY-SA 4.0 )