The Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, N.C., introduced the start of two serval kittens. The kittens have been born on 20 March to mother, Kira, and pop, Tut, a pair advisable for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® program. These are the primary serval kittens born on the Greensboro Science Center.
“Servals are an incredibly popular species throughout AZA zoos and are featured prominently in many ambassador programs, showing off their incredible adaptations. Unfortunately, the AZA population has been on a slow decline in recent years due to the lack of reproductive success,” mentioned Jessica Hoffman-Balder, vice chairman of animal care and welfare on the Greensboro Science Center.
“That is why we are so pleased to be able to support the Serval SSP program with our recent birth. Our male, Tut, has sired a litter once at his previous facility, but our female, Kira, is a first-time mom and could represent new genetics for this population,” mentioned Hoffman-Balder.
Servals (Leptailurus serval) are small cats native to central and southern Africa. The species has the longest legs and largest ears for the physique measurement of any cat. While their major food regimen consists of rodents, servals can leap greater than 9 toes straight as much as seize a hen proper out of the air.
“Our Revolution Ridge zoo expansion is working exactly as planned,” mentioned Glenn Dobrogosz, chief govt officer on the Greensboro Science Center. “Most of these new species are breeding and/or showing signs of future breeding as our guests get to see the miracle of life firsthand. Species conservation starts with knowledge and caring. Getting to know these incredible animals up-close and personal translates into wanting to protect them in the wild.”
The kittens are presently with their mother behind the scenes and are usually not but seen to visitors. The Greensboro Science Center extends a heartfelt thanks to their serval donors, the Ramsay Family, for his or her beneficiant help on this endeavor.
Photos Credit: © Greensboro Science Center
Back to All Stories
