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Thursday, 28 March 2024

Wildlife park called to rehome a cat that's 'too wild'

Credit: SWNS STUDIO
Duration: 00:59s 0 shares 2 views

Wildlife park called to rehome a cat that's 'too wild'
Wildlife park called to rehome a cat that's 'too wild'

An exotic cat that was being smuggled into the UK has had to be homed at a wildlife park because it is too wild to go to a normal home.The feline was stopped from entering the country by Border Control when they realised she is a first-generation Savannah cat - a breed created by combining an African serval with a domestic house cat.The unusual hybrid, which is recognised as the largest cat breed, costs around £10,000 to buy, as they are difficult to crossbreed - with both types having different gestation periods.This cat, named Flerken, is the first generation of this breed -  termed F1 - and is 50% serval, a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat.Because of their wild inheritance the F1 generation is illegal in the UK under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.The cat is legal in other countries. The second generation of the breed, meaning the cat has one serval grandparent - termed F2 - is legal in the UK.Alarm bells started ringing at Border Control when Flerken arrived in the country as her paperwork stated she should be an adult fifth generation, F5, Savannah - she was very clearly a kitten.The problem with housing her is that she cannot go to a domestic setting, but a zoo would not take her in either - because she is not wild enough.So that's where Ark Wildlife Park in Lincs., comes in, they are the UK's first rescue zoo and specialise in taking in animals from the European pet trade.They have foxes and a serval, ex-lab monkeys and a crocodile - which was born in a back garden in the Netherlands - amongst their menagerie.It was the brainchild of husband and wife team Jamie Mintram, 45, and Michelle, 38, who created the wildlife park in 2016, after giving up their jobs as scientists.Jamie was delighted to take in the Savannah, who they have named Flerken, after Captain Marvel's alien cat in the latest superhero blockbuster movie starring Brie Larson, in December.Savannah cats can grow to double the size of a normal cat, up to 9kg - a normal cat is around 4kg - and can jump as high as 8ft.But, rather than being wild and ferocious, Flerkin is actually soft and gentle, loving lots of attention and playtime.Father-of-two Jamie said: "It depends on each individual cat as to how wild they can be, but Flerken is incredibly playful and mischievous - pretty much how you'd imagine a domestic kitten to be."We will keep an eye on her as she grows but she is the sweetest, most fantastic little kitten."Because of her wild animal status she is not able to mingle with the public and instead is being homed in her own enclosure in reception - so she can at least play with the staff.Another enclosure is currently being constructed outside the property so she can venture outdoors.She is also being harness trained so she can be walked on a lead to go further afield.The sanctuary are also considering making her their ambassador."She is such a wonderful animal, she would be a great ambassador for us to teach the public the rules and regulations about keeping wild animals as pets," said Jamie.For information on the sanctuary or to help them raise funds for all their worthy animals please visit their website: http://arkwildlifepark.co.uk

An exotic cat that was being smuggled into the UK has had to be homed at a wildlife park because it is too wild to go to a normal home.The feline was stopped from entering the country by Border Control when they realised she is a first-generation Savannah cat - a breed created by combining an African serval with a domestic house cat.The unusual hybrid, which is recognised as the largest cat breed, costs around £10,000 to buy, as they are difficult to crossbreed - with both types having different gestation periods.This cat, named Flerken, is the first generation of this breed -  termed F1 - and is 50% serval, a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat.Because of their wild inheritance the F1 generation is illegal in the UK under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.The cat is legal in other countries.

The second generation of the breed, meaning the cat has one serval grandparent - termed F2 - is legal in the UK.Alarm bells started ringing at Border Control when Flerken arrived in the country as her paperwork stated she should be an adult fifth generation, F5, Savannah - she was very clearly a kitten.The problem with housing her is that she cannot go to a domestic setting, but a zoo would not take her in either - because she is not wild enough.So that's where Ark Wildlife Park in Lincs., comes in, they are the UK's first rescue zoo and specialise in taking in animals from the European pet trade.They have foxes and a serval, ex-lab monkeys and a crocodile - which was born in a back garden in the Netherlands - amongst their menagerie.It was the brainchild of husband and wife team Jamie Mintram, 45, and Michelle, 38, who created the wildlife park in 2016, after giving up their jobs as scientists.Jamie was delighted to take in the Savannah, who they have named Flerken, after Captain Marvel's alien cat in the latest superhero blockbuster movie starring Brie Larson, in December.Savannah cats can grow to double the size of a normal cat, up to 9kg - a normal cat is around 4kg - and can jump as high as 8ft.But, rather than being wild and ferocious, Flerkin is actually soft and gentle, loving lots of attention and playtime.Father-of-two Jamie said: "It depends on each individual cat as to how wild they can be, but Flerken is incredibly playful and mischievous - pretty much how you'd imagine a domestic kitten to be."We will keep an eye on her as she grows but she is the sweetest, most fantastic little kitten."Because of her wild animal status she is not able to mingle with the public and instead is being homed in her own enclosure in reception - so she can at least play with the staff.Another enclosure is currently being constructed outside the property so she can venture outdoors.She is also being harness trained so she can be walked on a lead to go further afield.The sanctuary are also considering making her their ambassador."She is such a wonderful animal, she would be a great ambassador for us to teach the public the rules and regulations about keeping wild animals as pets," said Jamie.For information on the sanctuary or to help them raise funds for all their worthy animals please visit their website: http://arkwildlifepark.co.uk

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