Enterprise
ABQ BioPark mourns the loss of 22-year-old serval Savanna
The ABQ BioPark community is mourning the loss of 22-year-old African serval, Savanna, who died from heart and renal failure on Monday.
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For years, Savanna, a 22-year-old African serval, would walk through the ABQ BioPark grass on her harness, take catnaps on the catwalk or chase toys with her keepers.
鈥淐ats can be so playful and fun, and she was perfect,鈥� Zoo Associate Director Lynn Tupa said.
On Monday, Savanna died from heart and renal failure, 鈥渁long with other age-related issues,鈥� she said.
鈥淎lthough the team grieves this loss, a long life of fond memories will keep her near in the hearts of those who knew her best,鈥� the zoo said in a statement.
Savanna, who came to the zoo when she was almost 4 months old, almost lived a decade longer than the average lifespan for a serval, which is 13陆 years old, Tupa said.
鈥淪he is a tough one to lose,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he had a great impact on all the staff (who) worked with her.鈥�
鈥淭his close relationship with her care team gave her the opportunity to become one of our ambassador animals,鈥� a BioPark news release stated. 鈥淭hese special animals help connect people with all wildlife and the importance of conservation.鈥�
After retiring from the ambassador program, Savanna enjoyed catnaps, 鈥渃laimed鈥� piles of raked leaves her keepers were trying to clean up or simply bonded with the keepers, the zoo said.
Savanna was the only African serval at the zoo, Tupa said.
According to the BioPark, a serval is a small- to medium-sized wildcat native to various regions in Africa. Their cream-yellow bodies are covered in black spots and stripes that help them camouflage in their savanna/grassland homes. These wildcats have very long legs relative to their body size.
鈥淐ats are so majestic and elegant,鈥� Tupa said. 鈥淪he had very long legs. She was a very stunning looking cat.鈥�
