Yesterday morning, the police received a report from a concerned woman who was walking her dog in the Hagavik area in Os. She thought she had seen a lynx. The Norwegian Environment Agency is working on the case, and is now warning people not to go close to the animal. They confirm to news that photos and videos indicate that it is a serval. – We want to warn the public against approaching the animal and trying to capture it. One must always act cautiously in contact with large wild mammals or loose, unknown domesticated animals, says senior advisor Nils Kristian Grønvik. It was Midtsiden that mentioned the matter first. EXOTIC CAT: This animal was observed by several people in Os yesterday afternoon. Photo: Steffen Ljosheim Asking for information from the public The Norwegian Environment Agency assumes that the serval has been kept in captivity. – Whether it has escaped or is allowed to go free, we do not know at the present time, says Grønvik. The Norwegian Environment Agency is now asking for information and pictures of the animal, and wants to get in touch with the animal’s owner. – The importation and keeping of servals is prohibited. If it is a serval, we will ensure that measures are put in place to control the animal. In the worst case, we have to kill it, says Grønvik. Alien species such as servals can damage natural diversity, and are therefore not wanted in Norwegian nature. – If we don’t find an owner quite quickly, we will send out the State Nature Inspectorate to capture it or have it removed in another way, concludes Grønvik. The Norwegian Environment Agency confirms that the animal is a serval. Photo: Tipser Discovered the animal in his own neighborhood Steffen Ljosheim was waiting for a friend when he discovered the animal in his own neighborhood yesterday morning. – I just saw that there was a cat standing in the road that looked much bigger than a normal cat. It was a sweet cat, says Ljosheim. According to Ljosheim, the animal was approximately 10 meters away at the closest point. – Were you afraid at any point? – I was too curious to feel any fear, he says. Steffen Ljosheim discovered the feline yesterday morning in his own neighbourhood. Photo: private Several people he has spoken to think it looks like a lynx. That was not Ljosheim’s first thought. – I think lynxes look fatter. I think it looks like a small jaguar, he continues. Now the Norwegian Environment Agency urges people to be careful if they see the animal. – Doesn’t happen every day Arne Fjellstad states that the police are no longer working on the case. – Nothing indicates that there is a danger to life and health, he continues. It is still unknown whether it has come to Norway legally or illegally, or whether it is owned by someone. – This does not happen every day, he says. Arne Fjellstad had an unusual day at work Photo: Siri Løken / news If it is determined that it is illegal, he expects that they will receive a report from the professional authorities. – It’s exciting no matter what happens. It is a beautiful animal. According to the Store Norske Leksikon, the serval is a predatory species in the cat family that is widespread south of the Sahara in Africa. It often has a slender body, long legs, a small head, and large, round ears.
ttn-69
Exotic feline observed in Os – news Vestland
