DISTRICT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A trio of African servals slipped out of their pen at a Berks County wildlife refuge after powerful winds brought down a tree that tore through part of their habitat, the center confirmed this week.
The Cricket Wildlife Center, located along Bitting Road near Alburtis, reported that a storm late Tuesday night caused heavy damage when a falling tree crushed fencing around the servals’ outdoor area. Staff discovered the breach the next morning and found the cats missing.
In a message posted to Facebook, the center urged local residents not to panic or attempt to capture the animals, emphasizing that servals are typically shy and unlikely to pose a threat. “Please do not harm them,” the post read. The facility asked anyone who spots the animals to call 717-381-9893.
Officials said the missing cats are older rescues accustomed to human care but not domesticated. The center noted that the animals may be frightened and could remain close to familiar territory rather than traveling far from the property.
Storm damage from the same weather system was reported across portions of Berks and neighboring Lehigh County, where fallen branches and downed trees caused scattered power outages. The tree that collapsed at the wildlife center appeared to have been weakened by previous decay, according to the owner.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has been notified of the escape, and local authorities have been made aware, though no official search order had been announced as of Thursday afternoon.
Cricket Wildlife Center operates as a private sanctuary for exotic and native wildlife. Its owners said they are assessing the structural damage and reinforcing other enclosures while efforts continue to safely recover the missing servals.
Residents in the surrounding area are advised to keep pets indoors and report any sightings to the center directly rather than calling emergency services, unless there is immediate danger.
