Adelaide Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of two purrrfect Serval kittens.
Born to mum, Kali and dad, Maji on 19 December 2015, the delightful duo is the parents’ fourth litter to be born at Adelaide Zoo.
On Thursday 18 February the young kittens received their first health check that included their first round vaccinations, a full body examination and microchipping. The check-up also provided an opportune time to confirm the sex of the kittens – two little boys. The two-month old kittens were given a clean bill of health and are growing well, weighing 1.56kg and 1.95kg each.
The pair has spent their first few weeks of life in a private den with mum, Kali, who has tended to their every need since birth.
Adelaide Zoo Carnivore Keeper Claire Geister says Kali is a doting mum and the twins are doing well.
“Motherhood comes naturally to Kali, she’s always fussing over the kittens, feeding and cleaning them,” Claire said.
“The kittens were very shy at first and stuck close to mum but they’re becoming more adventurous every day now and starting to explore their home.
“In the wild, Serval males do not play a role in caring for their kittens, so for now Maji is looking on from a distance and is housed separately from Kali and the twins.”
Servals possess remarkable problem-solving abilities, and are highly intelligent and mischievous creatures.
Adult Servals have the longest legs relative to body size of any cat species. These long legs make them incredible jumpers, leaping to more than six metres from a stationary position. Native to the savannahs of Africa, Servals are protected in many countries as their numbers have dwindled due to habitat destruction and poaching.
