A risk assessment for the African serval has been conducted by the Department.
The Risk Assessment Team assessed the African serval as Highly Dangerous to public safety, with a Low (verging on moderate) likelihood of establishment and Extreme consequence should the species establish in the wild. Consequently, the species has been assessed as posing a Serious risk.
During the public comment period, NRE Tas received four public submissions on the proposed import of Servals. The Risk Assessment Team expressed serious concerns over the possibility of hybridisation with domestic (including feral) cats, the marginal climatic match, and public concerns regarding the import of the species. These concerns have been taken into account and the African serval has been listed under Schedule 4 (Restricted special purpose) wildlife under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations 2021.
Following the initial risk assessment, the Department considers permitting the importation of animals assessed as ‘serious risk’ into the State as long as appropriate mitigation measures, enforced through a wildlife exhibition licence, can be identified and applied.
Mitigation options to reduce the risk associated with importing African serval could include:
- Limit importation to registered wildlife parks or zoos to ensure that holding facilities meet the stringent keeping standards that apply to all such institutions in Tasmania;
- Require any wildlife park or zoo to submit an African serval Species Management Plan (including enclosure details) prior to import;
- Require wildlife exhibition facility licence holders to clearly demonstrate that they have proficient keepers for the species; and
- Only castrated males inspected by a Department veterinarian to ensure that they have been adequately castrated to be imported.
Risk Assessment
African Serval (Leptailurus serval) Risk Assessment (220 KB)