Serval rescued from private home in Aargau - now in Geneva

Wednesday, 25 January 2023 06:30

A serval has been rescued from a private home in canton Aargau and is now in the Bioparc in Geneva.

Servals are wild African cats and becoming more popular as pets due to social media.

But the Federal Veterinary Office is warning they are not possible to domesticate and permission is needed to keep them privately in Switzerland.

It’s the second time a serval has been found in private hands. In 2018 one escaped in Basel.

Christina Messner from the Bioparc says people are buying wild animals as if they were objects and don’t realize such a life is miserable for them.

International trade in the big cats seems to be thriving. In Lyon in France last year, 12 were found being kept illegally.

More from Bitesize News

Federal Council launches fight against 10 million vote

Justice Minister Beat Jans has launched the federal government’s campaign against the Swiss People's Party initiative known as “No to a 10 Million Switzerland.”
Calls to reinstate domestic violence cash

Geneva politicians are urging the cantonal government to rethink planned cuts to projects tackling domestic violence.
Neighbouring France swings right

Municipal elections in eastern France have seen a clear shift to the right in parts of Haute-Savoie.
SWISS to sack thousands of air-crew

Swiss International Air Lines is offering thousands of cabin crew a payout to leave, as it looks to cut costs and reduce overstaffing.
Series of farm shop thefts solved

Police say they’ve solved a series of burglaries targeting farms and self-service shops across eight cantons.
People are mainly annoyed by noise

Noise is the leading cause of neighbour disputes in Switzerland, according to a new study by ImmoScout24.