IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Ramesh, T.; Downs, C.T.; Power, R.J.; Laurence, S.; Matthews, W.; Child, M.F. | |
| A conservation assessment of _Leptailurus serval_ | |
| 2016 Book Chapter | |
Servals are wetland specialists. Thus, continuing loss and degradation of natural wetlands and associated reed-banks is of major concern. The 1990-2013/14 (24-year period) South African National Land-Cover change report found a 32.8% decline in natural wetlands on a national scale, a combination of both anthropogenic degradation and currently drier conditions. This is almost exactly three generations for Serval (_c_. 25 years). This decline in wetlands is corroborated by general natural habitat loss on a provincial scale. If we infer that natural wetland loss is proportional to population decline for Serval, a Vulnerable A2c listing is appropriate. However, the relationship between natural wetland loss and population trends is unknown, the extent to which natural wetland loss is mitigated by artificial wetland establishment is uncertain, and there is no direct evidence for population decline. Thus, we list as Near Threatened A2c. Long-term monitoring sites should be established to detect any local or regional declines in various subpopulations related to land-use change. Area of occupancy was calculated by buffering wetlands occurring within the extent of occurrence by 500 m and was estimated to range between 18,789 km2 (large, natural wetland clusters) and 209,738 km2 (including small waterbodies and artificial wetlands). This yields a current estimated mature population size that most likely ranges between 4,509 and 13,654 individuals (using a 50-70% mature population structure). The 2004 assessment estimated the mature population size at < 2,500 individuals, which is most likely an underestimate. An ongoing decline in mature individuals is suspected from either uses related directly to traditional medicine or cultural regalia (which may represent an emerging threat within the assessment region), or indirectly as collateral in snares laid out for other species or general predator control by farmers and landowners. Given that there is an inferred continuing decline from wetland loss, and a suspected continuing decline in mature individuals from incidental snaring, persecution or illegal trade, Servals would qualify for Vulnerable C2a(i). However, although it is likely that no subpopulation is larger than 1,000 mature individuals, it is uncertain how to define subpopulations in this species given their significant dispersal capacity. Thus we list as Near Threatened C2a(i). We note that further research is needed to more accurately calculate population size and area of occupancy, as well as the net effects of ongoing natural wetland loss versus use of modified habitats. Additionally, the emerging threat of being hunted for cultural regalia, similar to Leopards (_Panthera pardus_), should be monitored and quantified. This species should be reassessed as relevant data become available. Key interventions include the conservation and restoration of wetlands and riparian/grass vegetation buffer strips around wetlands. We encourage managers and landowners to protect natural or artificial wetlands and waterside vegetation and maintain sufficient ground cover/vegetation refugia in both farmlands and ranchlands to sustain key resource areas for Servals within an otherwise unsuitable matrix. Although Servals respond well to _ex situ _breeding, reintroduction efforts show mixed success and should be monitored and evaluated more thoroughly to improve best practice. Awareness and education campaigns to end intentional or indirect persecution of Serval should also be continued. |
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