Residents on the 2400 block of Eutaw Place in Reservoir Hill — less than a mile from the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore — were shocked Friday morning to see two large cats roaming along sidewalks and across porch roofs.
The Office of Animal Control received calls to 311 that morning about “a very large, loose, potentially wild cat in the area.” Animal enforcement officers responded and found the loose “serval type cat,” according to a statement from Baltimore City Housing and Community Development.
Animal Control confirmed that the captured cat is in good health and will be transferred to a licensed rescue or local zoo. The second cat, according to the statement, returned to its owner as Animal Control continues its investigation.
The two cats seen in now-viral neighborhood videos appear to be African servals, according to Tammy Thies, founder and executive director of The Wildcat Sanctuary, one of the nation’s leading authorities on exotic cats and the pet trade.
Ownership of this type of cat is illegal in Maryland, but Thies said owners often “state they are a Savannah Cat to skirt city/county exotic animal laws.”
A “serval type” cat was found roaming the 2400 block of Eutaw Place in Reservoir Hill.(Courtesy of Tim Goldsmith)
“These cats can easily escape, injure other pets or suffer health issues when confined or improperly cared for,” Thies said. “These incidents happen because of the exotic pet trade — animals bred for novelty rather than welfare. A loose serval is a public safety concern for people, pets and the cat.”
No people or animals were reported injured, but neighbors were startled to see an unusual animal walking along Eutaw Place on a snowy Friday morning.
“I was sitting in our kitchen drinking a cup of coffee when I noticed a white truck pull up behind our home,” said George Epple, who lives on the 2400 block of Eutaw Place. “I then noticed the cat in the yard across the alley. … It was like watching a nature program right here in Reservoir Hill.”
The animals were not affiliated with the Maryland Zoo, but Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Evitts said the zoo is in touch with BARCS to see how it can assist.
https://www.dailypress.com/2025/12/06/exotic-cats-baltimore/
