OLIVETTE, Mo. — The Animal Protection Association (APA) of Missouri had to clear out numerous large dogs from its facility in Olivette to take in two exotic cats, known for being the most lethal exotic cat species in the world.
The animals, called servals, were surrendered after they were involved in a possible DUI crash in St. Louis County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). The crash happened in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 270 at Highway 367 when a vehicle struck another that was stopped in the roadway due to vehicle defects.
MSHP told 5 On Your Side that responding officers initially thought there were two bobcats in the car.
Servals are the best hunters of all exotic cat species, according to the San Diego Zoo. The cats kill their prey in more than half of all attempts, a success rate that National Geographic says is higher than lions hunting together.
It's unclear whether the occupants of the vehicle legally owned the servals. Missouri law specifically outlaws keeping lions, tigers, leopards, ocelots, jaguars, cheetahs, margays, mountain lions, Canada lynx, bobcats, and jaguarundis, unless the owner registers them with local county law enforcement.
APA Olivette took in the two exotic cats after the crash, the shelter said. They were forced to consolidate rooms usually used to house large dogs, resulting in overcrowding.
The shelter, in response, is waiving all adoption fees of pets at its Olivette location from Nov. 8-10 to reduce overcrowding. Adoptions will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The servals are not available for adoption, but the shelter said it is trying to find a certified wild animal foster to take them in.
