Servals are medium-sized African wildcats increasingly kept as exotic pets and displayed in zoos. Their specific behavioral needs are rarely met in either context.
Servals kept as pets endure chronic welfare deficits despite owners' affection. Their need to hunt, patrol large territories, and avoid close confinement with other animals cannot be met in domestic settings. Behavioral problems including aggression, destructive behavior, and escape attempts reflect unmet needs rather than character flaws. Zoo servals fare better when provided with large, complex enclosures with hunting enrichment, but even well-resourced zoos struggle to meet the ranging needs of this specialist predator. Exotic pet ownership of servals should be discouraged through education and regulation.