DECATUR, Ill. (WICS) — An African wild animal is on the loose in in Illinois, according to the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center.
The organization said the animal escaped from its owner and is believed to be on the northeast side of the city of Decatur.
It wasn't immediately known how it escaped.
Officials said they are working with an exotic animal rescue to capture the serval. They added they consider it to be dangerous because it is classified as a wild animal.
It would be like you're attacked by a large house cat it would leave some pretty impressive scratches, and if you're vulnerable or a very young child, it could cause some damage," said Ken Frye, who is the director of the Scovill Zoo. "They're solitary animals, I think if it hears people it is going to hide, only if cornered or threatened will it attack.”Frye added that he thinks owning servals is a bad idea.
Authorities urged the public not to interact with it if it is found.
Please call Animal control at 217-425-4508, extension 4, to report any sightings of the animal.
_____
EDITOR'S NOTE: WICS'sCaroleina Hassett contributed to this report.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZpqeop6worqMrJyrrpGherC6jK2fnmWcpLy0sYyipWahnKG2r7vIrGSonpaesKqty6xkrJmpYrGmr8CtrKtllJa7qLHRqKysZaeeuaV5wKegppmcqHqurcKopWabn6q7tcWMmqWipZGheqS7za2pqKRdmK6zsYycnKeslad6psTOraCcZZaauaq6xGapnquTqrJur8Cpq66qlQ%3D%3D