African serval on the streets in Swansboro North Carolina
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
Lake Charles, Louisiana
July 29, 2025 4:08pm CST
The Swansboro Police Department have asked citizens in town to contact Onslow County Animal Control to report the sighting of an African serval who escaped from its owner's home around Wednesday June 25.
Even though a serval looks like a small leopard, the police are asking the public not to catch the animal or come close to it.
Hopefully the animal control officials can reunite the serval with its owner soon.
Link is upi.com/3831750960246 via @upi
13 people like this
14 responses
@Ineeddentures (35523)
•
29 Jul
Omg it's a Serval
We looked at adopting one of those at one time.
About 20 years ago we had the chance to house one of those but we chose an orphaned Scottish Wildcat instead.
Servals are gorgeous Cats.
If this one is tame it would be ok to approach, but I would need the warning of being careful lol if near it
3 people like this
@celticeagle (190074)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Jul
Yes, they are still wild animals and are unpredictable.
2 people like this
@luisadannointed (11886)
• Philippines
30 Jul
Are they harmful? Do they hurt people?
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 Jul
The animal control officers are asking the public not to get too close to the animal.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7910)
• India
30 Jul
Seeing for the first time!! Looks cute. Wonder how their nature would be
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 Jul
According to animal control officials, servals are kind but humans are not supposed to try to capture them.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jul
I also hope that the serval is found safe and sound as well soon.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (40061)
• Toccoa, Georgia
30 Jul
I have never heard of an African Serval. I learn something new every day 
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 Jul
Neither have heard of an African Serval either.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (98157)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Jul
What a cutie did he take a wrong turn from Africa. If he was tame I would not mind having such a cat,
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jul
The serval was likely brought here via a site where animals can be purchased over the internet.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jul
Most likely the cat is not from here.
2 people like this
@Traceyjayne (11551)
• United Kingdom
29 Jul
Wow, what a gorgeous animal. I hope they found it safe.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jul
I also hope that the serval is found safe and sound.
1 person likes this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
30 Jul
Owners with such exotic animals as pets should better insure the safety of the public at large by keeping a tighter rein on their pets. They should never be allowed to escape like this.
