A resident of Okotoks, Alta., has been fined $15,000 after pleading guilty on Tuesday to possession of a controlled animal under the provincial Wildlife Act.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services says it seized a serval cat from an Alberta woman’s home on Nov. 30, 2023, following the execution of a warrant.
“Servals are listed as a controlled animal in Alberta, and are illegal to import or possess except under strict permitting requirements, usually only issued for zoos,” reads a statement from Alberta Fish and Wildlife emailed to CBC News.
“Large cats, like servals, can be aggressive, difficult to care for, and can pose significant safety risks to members of the public. This is the only serval cat that has been seized by FWES in recent years.”
According to the woman’s lawyer, Greg Dunn, she was breeding serval cats in B.C., where it is legal to own and breed them.
“[Serval cats] are typically bred with domestic cats to create a popular breed known as the Savannah cat,” reads a statement from Dunn.
Dunn says the woman admitted to bringing the cat from B.C. to Alberta in order to care for it while she received treatment for ongoing health issues.
“It was obviously an error in judgment for which she has paid a significant fine and had her beloved serval ‘Vampy’ seized by the authorities.”
The serval has since been under the care of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, according to Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services.
In an email to CBC News, a spokesperson for the zoo says it works closely with the province’s wildlife enforcement agency to provide care for confiscated animals when able to do so.
“The male serval, who turns two years old this spring, has thrived in the care of the zoo, has been successfully introduced to the zoo’s female serval, and will be remaining at the zoo. After adjusting to his new home, his personality has developed into that of a confident, sassy gentleman,” reads the statement.
“We have ensured that this individual received exceptional care through the dedicated species-specific expertise of the zoo’s animal care, health and welfare teams.”
The Edmonton Valley Zoo spokesperson also said the “illegal wildlife trade directly threatens the survival of species in the wild.”
According to Alberta Fish and Wildlife, fines under the Wildlife Act for possessing illegal animals can be up to $50,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year for an individual and up to $100,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years for a corporation, for each respective offence.