Rare serval cat spotted near Tangier, Water and Forests agency launches search

Morocco’s National Agency for Water and Forests (ANWF) is investigating the sighting of a serval cat near Tangier, Morocco. The serval is a wild cat species «on the verge of extinction» in the country, typically found in regions like the Guelmim area and the eastern Middle Atlas mountains, the agency said. The last confirmed sightings in the Middle Atlas were in 2013 and 2014.

Following reports and online discussions about the serval appearing near the Saloukia forest of Cap Spartel, ANWF launched a search campaign in cooperation with local authorities.

This effort includes combing the reported sighting area and surrounding locations for tracks or other signs of the animal. The agency is also collecting information from residents to be analyzed by specialists. The search for the serval's origin and how it arrived in the area is ongoing.

The serval cat is a slender, carnivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, with isolated populations in North Africa. Its spotted coat ranges from sandy to golden yellow, and its diet primarily consists of small prey like rodents. It poses no threat to humans and can even be beneficial by controlling rodent populations, the agency reassured.

The serval is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, requiring any related activity to be authorized by ANWF under Law No. 29.05 on wildlife trade control.

The agency emphasized its commitment to protecting endangered species under the Moroccan Forest Strategy 2020-2030. This includes programs to conserve habitats, reintroduce extinct species, and specifically a conservation plan for the serval cat, with a focus on recolonizing its natural habitat in Ifrane National Park.