HOUSTON — A wild cat native to Africa was rescued from a garage, according to Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen.
It happened at a home on West Tidwell near North Shepherd Drive in the northwest part of the county.
Animal cruelty investigators say they found the cat — a serval — in the garage after getting an anonymous tip. The animal’s caretakers said they had rescued the cat from neglect, according to a post from the constable’s office.
The cat was taken in for evaluation and treatment. According to the constable’s office, veterinary professionals said they had medical concerns about the cat.
A court hearing has been scheduled to determine if the person who had the cat will get to keep it. The investigation has been turned over to Texas Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to look into.
What are servals?
The cats, which are native to Africa, are excellent predators, according to National Geographic. Their unique body style allows them to see over tall grass to ambush their prey, and they can leap as far as nine feet to catch birds in flight. And they are fast. They can run up to 50 miles per hour. Here’s more information on servals from National Geographic.