Exotic Serval Cats Seized in Norfolk After Drone Spotting
Serval Cats Caught on Drone Cameras
Norfolk Rural Crimes used a drone to locate two serval cats—a male and female—kept on private land in Colby. These big cats are no ordinary pets. Classified as dangerous wild animals under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976, servals can jump two metres high and run up to 50mph. In the wild, they hunt prey like young antelope, making them a serious threat if they escape.
Owner Fined Over Illegal Serval Keeping
North Norfolk District Council slapped the resident with a £40 fine plus costs and compensation. With victim impact charges included, the total bill came to £674. The council took the individual to court following a complaint lodged in September 2021 about the animals.
Cats Relocated to Specialist Zoos
The council wielded powers from the Dangerous Wild Animals Act to confiscate the serval cats. Both animals are now at zoos equipped with expert staff and proper facilities to ensure their safety and welfare.
Council Enforces Strict Rules for Dangerous Pets
James Windsor, the council’s Environmental Health Officer, called the case “extremely serious.” He warned the cats were kept in enclosures not designed to stop them escaping, posing significant risks to the local community.
“Recapturing an escaped serval would have been a huge challenge,” Windsor said. “The council routinely inspects licences to ensure wild animals are kept safely and responsibly.”
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act requires strict licensing and regular vet checks to protect both public safety and animal welfare. This case highlights how seriously authorities treat unlawful exotic pet keeping in the UK.
