SAFE HAVEN IS HOME TO AN AFRICAN SERVAL—A FORMER EXOTIC "PET."

Jasper is available for sponsorship in our Adopt-an-Animal program.

Jasper, a male African serval, was rescued and referred to Safe Haven in July 2011 when he was two years old. This former "exotic pet" was abandoned on the streets of Hollywood, CA. He was found with a deep puncture wound on his rear paw. Police contacted a wildlife rescue organization that provided interim care for Jasper before getting in touch with Safe Haven.

Jasper is now enjoying the wide-open spaces of a 5,000-sq. ft. enclosure complete with a heated den, a climbing and shade platform, a small pool, and plenty of weeds and tall grass for hiding. As you can see in the photo at left, our camera-shy Jasper is a master of camouflage!

AFRICAN SERVAL FACTS

• The serval is native to Africa and is widely distributed south of the Sahara. Their numbers have dwindled in North Africa due to human encroachment on their habitat and hunting for their pelts.
   
• The serval is strong and slender. The long legs and neck allow the serval to see over tall grasses.
   
• Servals are nocturnal, hunting mostly at night.
   
• The serval has large ears and exceptional hearing, allowing it to detect small prey burrowing underground. While hunting, the serval may pause for several minutes at a time to listen with eyes closed.
   
• The serval's diet includes rodents, hares, reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects. It devours small prey whole.
   
• The serval can pounce onto prey at a distance of 12 ft. from a stationary position. It leaps as high as 9 ft. to catch birds in flight.
   
• Life expectancy is about ten years in the wild and up to twenty years in captivity.