African Serval Cat at BIA

By T.K.G. Kapila

Katunayaka, July 8 (Daily Mirror) - An African Serval Cat was brought to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) air cargo terminal by Aeroflot flight SU-288 from Moscow, Russia yesterday morning (7), the airport Customs officers said.

Investigations revealed that a resident of Kandy had brought this cat into the country without proper permission.

This wild cat species is designated as a protected animal by the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Convention), and it bears similarities to the 'Leopards' of Sri Lanka.

According to the Customs officials who are conducting further investigations into this matter, these wild cats are kept as pets in Europe and Middle Eastern countries, and therefore there is a great demand for them internationally.

However, this wild cat has been sent to Dehiwala Zoo, and the Biodiversity Protection, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Units of Sri Lanka Customs and the Wildlife Department are conducting further investigations.