– Fair enough that the owner has done something illegal by importing the serval to Norway, but the person in question must not have to see his animal die. There are so many better solutions. I understand the need for an incentive against the importation of illegal animals, but culling is not the answer. Reported to the owner It was Thursday last week that the osingen encountered the exotic feline in its own neighborhood in Os in Bjørnafjorden municipality, south of Bergen. Ljosheim pulled out his mobile phone and filmed the animal, which later turned out to be a serval that had escaped from a house in the nearby area. This animal was observed by a hiker on Thursday. Now the Norwegian Environment Agency is warning to get closer. Video: Steffen Ljosheim The video and several other observations led to a violent uproar and great media interest. That same evening, the animal’s owner contacted the local newspaper Midtsiden and told them that the serval, which is two years old and goes by the name Niño, was safely back home. But the excitement was not over. The police responded to the illegal animal keeping and knew the owner’s identity. They were just waiting for a formal report from the Norwegian Environment Agency. Now it has arrived. – We have reported the relationship to the police, confirms press officer Dag Stian Husby in the Norwegian Environment Agency to news on Thursday. Over 400 have signed the petition Senior adviser Nils Kristian Grønvik told news earlier this week that the animal farm breaks a number of regulations and that a serval has no place in a house. Grønvik stated to Bergensavisen on Wednesday that euthanasia is the most likely alternative. Steffen Ljosheim despairs over the dramatic development. – This was never my intention, I just filmed the cat. Killing it would be very low and a total lack of respect for the animal, the owner and animal lovers, he says. Steffen Ljosheim encountered the feline in his own neighbourhood. Photo: private The reactions are strong both among osingers and animal protectionists. Over 400 people have so far signed a petition from the local animal protection organization Oskatten that the African savannah cat must be allowed to live. – Too easy to resort to euthanasia – It is far too easy for the authorities to resort to euthanasia rather than finding better and long-term solutions for the animal in question, says Torkel Erdal of the organization Oskatten in the petition. – Regarding the serval Niño, we believe this is a strong overreaction on the part of the authorities. We all agree that this cat was introduced illegally, but the owner should be punished for that and not poor Niño, writes Erdal. Facts about the serval The serval is a predatory species in the cat family. The feline is widespread in Africa, south of the Sahara. It occurs in savannahs, preferably near water. It has a slender body with long legs, a small head, a relatively long neck and large, rounded ears. The fur is orange-brown with a pattern of black spots. It has yellowish eyes with elongated pupils. The body length is 70–100 cm, the tail 35–40 cm and it weighs up to 20 kilos. Normally, the serval eats animals up to 200-300 grams. Source: Store norske lexikon and Norwegian Environment Agency Steffen Ljosheim notes that there is great interest in the fate of the feline. – Everyone I meet starts talking about the serval. As I understand it, the vast majority agree with me that it must not be killed, says Ljosheim. In an interview with the local newspaper Os og Fusaposten, the owner said that he paid NOK 70,000 for the serval and is aware that the animal is illegal in Norway. Siri Martinsen and the animal welfare organization Noah are working to find another solution. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen Noah: – Reception abroad has said yes Animal welfare organization Noah has also got involved in the serval case and is now trying to find another solution that does not involve killing. – We have offered to help and have been talking all day with various animal shelters for wild animals in need of help both in Europe and the rest of the world. We have just now received positive feedback, and several others will consider it. So we think there should be hope, but then the authorities must allow another solution, says manager Siri Martinsen to news on Thursday evening. – In that case, who will pay for this? – The commitment around this type of emergency for animals is very large. Getting the economy and practicality right here is not the biggest problem. It is primarily the goodwill of the authorities that counts. The Norwegian Environment Agency will hold a meeting on the matter on Thursday and Noah hopes to get a clarification on the issue within a short time.
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Steffen filmed the serval Niño on the run in Os. Now he asks that the feline be allowed to live. – news Vestland
