Change: In an earlier version of this case, it was stated that the Norwegian Environment Agency had decided that the serval should be euthanized. This came out in an NTB article where the animal protection organization Noah referred to a letter from the Norwegian Environment Agency. However, the directorate says that they have not taken any decision on culling, but have rejected a proposal to relocate the serval. Euthanasia became an early topic of conversation after the serval Niño was observed in Os outside Bergen at the end of June. Now the animal welfare organization Noah is reacting to the fact that the Norwegian Environment Agency does not accept a proposal to relocate the animal. After securing a place for the serval at a rescue center in South Africa, Noah sent an application to the Norwegian Environment Agency, the organization writes to NTB. After two months, they should have received a response from the Norwegian Environment Agency that relocation is not possible. – The Norwegian Environment Agency has not decided to euthanize the animal, but as of today we unfortunately do not see any good solutions to take care of the serval, writes section leader Janne Bonhorst in the Norwegian Environment Agency in an e-mail to news. Noah has chosen to appeal the refusal. According to the organisation, the Norwegian Environment Agency writes that they can only consider relocation in the case of endangered species. – There are places that specialize in looking after animals like Niño, and Noah now has a concrete collaboration with one of these, writes Siri Martinsen, head of the animal protection organization Noah, in an email to NTB. She criticizes the Norwegian Environment Agency for rejecting a practical, cost-effective and good solution, and expresses to NTB that she hopes they will turn the matter around. Siri Martinsen, manager at Noah, believes the serval should be relocated to an organization in South Africa. Photo: Ingeborg Undheim / news Disagreement over legislation – The serval is illegally imported and kept, and Noah believes it is important to give animals who are victims of animal trafficking a real chance, writes Noah to NTB. According to § 29 of the CITES regulations, consideration must be given to relocation or return to the exporting country of animals included in list A. List A includes species that are threatened with extinction. Serval is not included in that list. It is this regulation that the Norwegian Environment Agency relates to. – It would be a breach of the CITES convention to grant permission for export to South Africa for this specimen, and we therefore cannot grant such permission, writes Bonhorst in the Norwegian Environment Agency. Noah believes that the Norwegian Environment Agency should be able to relocate the serval despite the regulations. – Although Norwegian regulations require the directorate to consider relocation only for endangered species, this does not mean that they cannot also do this for other species, they write to NTB. Serval is not endangered, but Noah still believes that Niño should be relocated. Photo: Steffen Ljosheim Charged and found guilty Two weeks after the observation, the owner of the serval was charged with having broken the Game Act and the Natural Diversity Act. It is because servals, which are African cats, are illegal to bring into Norway and to keep as pets. – The serval is a great animal, but it belongs in nature. Wild animals do not thrive, and should not be kept as pets, writes Bonhorst. The owner, who is a young woman, had the serval illegally imported from abroad in December 2021. Then she paid NOK 70,000 for it. In an interview with the police, she admitted her guilt, but then informed the police that she wanted to stay in hiding until the serval was no longer in danger. 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: Great Norwegian encyclopedia and the Norwegian Environment Agency
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The serval Niño can be euthanized – animal protection organization wants to relocate – news Vestland
