ABQ BioPark mourns the loss of 22-year-old serval Savanna

For years, Savanna, a 22-year-old African serval, would walk through the ABQ BioPark grass on her harness, take catnaps on the catwalk or chase toys with her keepers.

“Cats can be so playful and fun, and she was perfect,” Zoo Associate Director Lynn Tupa said.

On Monday, Savanna died from heart and renal failure, “along with other age-related issues,” she said.

“Although the team grieves this loss, a long life of fond memories will keep her near in the hearts of those who knew her best,” the zoo said in a statement.

Savanna, who came to the zoo when she was almost 4 months old, almost lived a decade longer than the average lifespan for a serval, which is 13½ years old, Tupa said.

“She is a tough one to lose,” she said. “She had a great impact on all the staff (who) worked with her.”

“This close relationship with her care team gave her the opportunity to become one of our ambassador animals,” a BioPark news release stated. “These special animals help connect people with all wildlife and the importance of conservation.”

After retiring from the ambassador program, Savanna enjoyed catnaps, “claimed” piles of raked leaves her keepers were trying to clean up or simply bonded with the keepers, the zoo said.

Savanna was the only African serval at the zoo, Tupa said.

According to the BioPark, a serval is a small- to medium-sized wildcat native to various regions in Africa. Their cream-yellow bodies are covered in black spots and stripes that help them camouflage in their savanna/grassland homes. These wildcats have very long legs relative to their body size.

“Cats are so majestic and elegant,” Tupa said. “She had very long legs. She was a very stunning looking cat.”