TodayReporter's Notebook: Exotic cat killed near Philadelphia
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Pennsylvania Game Commission officials confirmed last week that a serval, an exotic cat from Africa that resembles a small cheetah, was killed Tuesday just outside of Philadelphia in Chester County.
Montgomery County Wildlife Conservation Officer Chris Heil received a call from a local farm manager about an exotic cat that was in his chicken coop killing chickens, the agency said. Heil told the farmer that under state law he had the authority to kill the animal to protect his livestock.
Chester County WCO Scott Frederick retrieved the carcass Thursday and transported it to the Southeast Region Office in Reading. The owner has been identified and an investigation has been opened regarding the lawful ownership of the animal.
Servals are found in many parts of the African continent. They are carnivorous and typically weigh about 35 pounds.
Several servals have been captured over the past year in Atlanta, Seattle and Battle Creek, Mich, according to reports. One was shot and killed in Kansas City, Mo., and another was seized from a woman in Illinois. In May, a serval and a bear escaped from an animal sanctuary in Muskegon, Mich.
Wildlife gifts
Once again, dozens of “wild” holiday gifts for that hunter, trapper or wildlife fan are available at “The Outdoor Shop” on the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Web site, www.pgc.state.pa.us/.
One gift that’s always in demand is the agency’s full-color calendar. The 2009 calendar provides a listing of approved season dates from Jan. 1-June 30, and tentative season dates for July 1-Dec. 31, as well as a reminder about National Hunting & Fishing Day in September.
The second year of the Game Commission’s two collectible series — the Wild Turkey Heritage Series and the Upland Game Bird Series — remain available for ordering. The two series, which were launched last year and will run for a total of five years, incorporate products grown and made in Pennsylvania, as well as the designs of an award-winning Pennsylvania wildlife artist.
The new collectible, numbered wild turkey calls and knives, are additions to these continuing series. Complementing the turkey calls and knives will be a special fine-art print and collector’s patch designed by Gerald W. Putt of Boiling Springs.
Bear season
The first two days of bear hunting produced a preliminary harvest of 2,518 bears, according to Game Commission reports.
In 2007, 1,638 bears passed through check stations the first two days. In 2006, 2,185 bears were taken. In 2005, when the state record bear harvest was set, agency personnel processed 2,875 bears through the first two days of season. Other harvests include: 2,262 in 2004; 2,299 in 2003; and 2,022 in 2002.
“The statewide two-day bear harvest has the 2008 season on a pace to be one of our best,” said Mark Ternent, Game Commission bear biologist.
The top 10 bears processed at check stations through Tuesday all had estimated live weights exceeding 600 pounds.
Cumberland Valley news
With the Thanksgiving holiday, it was a short week for students.
At Cumberland Valley’s Monroe Elementary School a two-day scholastic book fair was held last week.
Parent-teacher conferences were also held across the district.
Classes are back in session Tuesday.
Also, the life skills class at Cumberland Valley High School is sponsoring a silent auction on Friday, Dec. 12, beginning at 3:30 p.m. and lasting until halftime of the varsity basketball game vs. Bishop McDevitt.
All proceeds will go toward funding the Cumberland County special needs prom, which the Cumberland Valley class is sponsoring on May 15.
Jason Scott covers Cumberland County government, Cumberland Valley School District, politics and wildlife issues for The Sentinel. You can read his Reporter’s Notebook covering news and events on his beats every Monday. You can contact him at jscott@cumberlink.com
