Servals at Hamburg zoo practice hunting with special training

Tierpark Hagenbeck is engaging its two young servals, Hagrid and Harry, in specialized 'hunting training' designed to enrich their environment and showcase their natural abilities. The one-and-a-half-year-old brothers, who recently moved to the Hamburg zoo, are participating in activities that mimic their wild hunting behaviors.

Reviertierpfleger Uwe Fischer uses a modified fishing rod, attaching dead chicks and ostrich feathers to simulate prey. He then climbs a rock to offer the 'prey' for the servals to catch. This method allows the agile cats to demonstrate their remarkable leaping capabilities.

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This is good exercise for the animals. Visitors can also see what the servals are capable of.

According to the zoo, servals possess impressive jumping skills, capable of leaping up to two meters high and four meters horizontally in the wild. This allows them to catch birds in mid-air or surprise prey hidden in tall grass. The training not only provides mental and physical stimulation for the animals but also offers visitors a glimpse into their predatory prowess.

Tierpark Hagenbeck emphasizes that such enrichment activities are a crucial component of modern animal management, contributing significantly to the well-being and contentment of all its residents. The training allows the servals to express natural behaviors, enhancing their quality of life within the zoo environment.

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Such an activity is an important part of modern animal management and contributes significantly to animal welfare and the satisfaction of all Hagenbeck residents.