Rabat – Morocco’s National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), in collaboration with local authorities and the Royal Gendarmerie, has launched an investigation into recent reports of serval sightings on the outskirts of the Slokia Cap Spartel near Tangier.
According to SNRT News, ANEF has launched a comprehensive search campaign in these areas to locate the animal and confirm the validity of these reports.
Online videos showed the leopard roaming within the forest, sparking concerns among locals.
The search campaign included field searches in areas where sightings of the animal were reported, as well as neighboring areas, to search for traces of the animal and gather information from residents for analysis by experts.
The agency stated that field search operations are ongoing, and that its teams will remain vigilant and responsive to any sightings or reports of the animal.
ANEF is also working to determine how the serval arrived in the Tangier forest, especially considering that it typically resides in captivity within zoos.
The agency reassured the public regarding the potential danger posed by the serval. It noted that its impact on local residents and the environment is generally limited due to its relatively small size and primarily carnivorous diet, which consists mainly of small prey such as rodents.
The serval is a wild cat native to Africa. It is known for its distinctive spotted coat and long legs, which make it an adept hunter of small rodents and birds.
The animal is classified as an endangered species and is likely to be found in the region of Guelmim and Oued Draa, as well as in some regions in the Atlas mountains.
