Rescued serval kitten is now at wildlife centre in Johannesburg

eMBALENHLE – What was supposed to be a regular call to help a trapped kitten in eMbalenhle, turned into a rescue mission to save an endangered wildlife cat on Friday, 21 September.

The Highveld Ridge SPCA received an after hours call from a resident in eMbalenhle who was concerned about a strange cat hiding under rubble and corrugated sheets in their yard.

Ms Nicolette van Zyl and her daughter, Madelize, from Feral Watch TNR, and Mr Christo Roos who are all volunteers for the SPCA, went to the shack where the cat was spotted near the Sasol entrance at eMbalenhle.

Although the electricity was off, the team scavenged through the rubble until they found an unique looking kitten huddling under metal sheets.

“It was the most gorgeous cat I have ever seen,” said Mr Roos.

He finally managed to catch the kitten with gloved hands. This animal turned out to be a serval kitten of about eight-weeks-old.

“He was very dehydrated and weak. He tried to hiss a few times, but eventually just calmed down. I am sure he knew we were just trying to help,” said Mr Roos.

The serval kitten was taken to the Duck Pond vet and after consulting the Johannesburg Wildlife Vet, the kitten was treated with a drip and kept at the animal hospital for the night.

Ms Van Zyl took the serval to Johannesburg the next day where he is now being rehabilitated.

“We were told that the kitten will eventually be introduced to a sanctuary where there are other young servals.”