The well-known cat-like creature was spotted walking down the streets of Os in June last year.
This caused many to raise their eyebrows, as Niño was unusually larger than the other cats one is used to seeing here. The police were notified.
It turned out to be a two-year-old serval, a medium-sized African cat that is illegal to own as a pet in Norway.
The owner, a woman in her twenties, sacrificed her job, marriage, and home for the serval, whom she sees as her child.
She lived in hiding with Niño from the police for over a year before a drive in Haugesund in September this year changed everything.
She was stopped when she was driving in the wrong lane, and the local police connected her to the serval case.
On Monday, the trial against the woman began at Hordaland District Court.
Admits guilt
She has already been in court once this autumn, when it was initially thought that the case would proceed as a plea deal.
This is a simplified court process where the accused admits everything from the start and often agrees to a penalty.
However, that did not happen as the woman did not agree to the confiscation of her pet - that is, that the police or others take over ownership.
Therefore, it is now proceeding as a regular criminal case in court, and one day has been set aside for the trial.
Initially, the woman in her twenties was asked if she admits guilt for having illegally imported Niño into the country and kept him as a pet despite it being illegal.
The defendant replied yes to this.
– A gift from God
– I am unusually fond of cats, the woman said at the beginning of her explanation on Monday.
She has been since she was a child, and as she got older, she started dreaming of getting a larger cat.
On Instagram, the woman came across videos of servals. Then she saw a video of Niño from a Russian breeder.
– I fell in love right away, she recalls.
Prior to this, she had looked into various options to legally own a serval but got nowhere. The woman decided to buy Niño and have him smuggled into the country.
– I knew I could give him a fantastic life.
This was at the end of 2021.
– You knew this was illegal? the judge asked.
– Yes, I knew it. But I thought about how God created all animals, and that he was a gift from God, really.
– But that was wrong, and I should have realized that. I am very sorry.
Panicked
After the woman got Niño, her whole life revolved around him.
– The time we had together, that is the best thing that has ever happened in my life.
The idyll lasted until he ran away from home on that June day last year and was on the loose all night.
– Panic set in. I knew he would come home, but I was afraid someone would shoot him or that he would end up in the news.
The next morning, the serval came home, but by then the damage had already been done. In the days that followed, Niño became a national celebrity.
The woman feared that her pet would be euthanized if the police and the Food Safety Authority got hold of him. Therefore, she left the life she lived and lived on the run for over a year.
– It was an incredible strain. I probably cried every day for half a year until I ran out of tears.
– Looks cozy on Instagram
The Norwegian Environment Agency was early involved in the serval case.
Nils Kristian Grønvik worked as a senior advisor at the Environment Agency at that time and got the case on his desk.
He elaborated in court on why it is illegal to have wild animals as pets, primarily pointing to animal welfare.
– These are animals that need a territory, to mate, and to hunt. They become understimulated in captivity. It may look cozy on Instagram when they are lying at home under a blanket, but that is not reality, Grønvik stated.
He also said that the serval is not inherently dangerous to humans and other pets.
– But we had to go out and warn against trying to capture it when it was on the loose. It has the ability but not the will to harm.
Relocated to a zoo
In September, the flight life was over for the duo, due to the woman’s drive in Haugesund.
Niño was moved to Kristiansand Zoo and is planned to be relocated to Tangen Zoo in Innlandet.
Here, they are now working on a tailored enclosure for the cat, as well as getting the necessary approvals in place.
“We hope he will thrive here and that he can contribute to increasing awareness of how our actions affect wildlife and vulnerable ecosystems,” writes Tangen Zoo on their pages.
The owner risks imprisonment. The prosecutor in the case, André Jakobsen, has demanded 21 days in prison, as well as the confiscation of the animal and payment of legal costs.
The woman’s defense attorney, Roy André Håkonsen Arteid, believes that a fine should be sufficient.
He asked the woman if there is any danger that she will smuggle an animal into the country again.
– No, not at all.
– Because then that animal’s life would also be at risk, and Niño can’t be replaced anyway. He is my boy.
Interview: Understanding the Controversy of Pet Ownership of Wild Animals
Published by Time.news
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where today we’re joined by Dr. Emily Forsythe, a wildlife expert and advocate for animal welfare. Dr. Forsythe, thank you for joining us to discuss the recent case of a woman in Norway who kept a potentially dangerous illegal pet—a serval named Niño.
Dr. Emily Forsythe: Thank you for having me! It’s a fascinating and troubling case that raises many important issues regarding wildlife and pet ownership.
Time.news Editor: To give our readers some context, this case involves a young woman who illegally imported Niño the serval into Norway. She has now faced legal repercussions for her decision. What are your initial thoughts on this situation?
Dr. Emily Forsythe: My first reaction is one of concern—not just for Niño, but for the woman as well. While it’s clear she has a deep affection for her pet, the decision to import a wild animal like a serval comes with significant ethical and legal implications. Servals are not domesticated cats; they have very specific needs and behaviors that are difficult to meet in a home environment.
Time.news Editor: Exactly. The woman described Niño as a ‘gift from God’ and expressed regret for knowing it was illegal to own him. In your opinion, how does a person rationalize the illegal ownership of a wild animal?
Dr. Emily Forsythe: It often stems from a misconception that wild animals can be cared for like domestic pets. Many people romanticize the idea of owning exotic animals, influenced by social media and their ”cute” appearances. This woman seemed to believe she could provide a better life for Niño, but the reality is, wild animals require specific habitats and freedoms that we simply cannot replicate in a home.
Time.news Editor: That’s a significant point. The article mentioned that she had lived in hiding for over a year out of fear of losing Niño to authorities. What are the risks involved for both the animal and the owner in situations like this?
Dr. Emily Forsythe: The risks are manifold. For the animal, being kept in an unsuitable environment can lead to physical and psychological distress. They may exhibit behaviors that are problematic or harmful, both to themselves and to humans. For the owner, the legal consequences can be severe, leading to criminal charges and potential fines. Moreover, the stress of living in hiding can take a toll on mental health.
Time.news Editor: The woman claimed that living with Niño was the “best thing that has ever happened” to her. Yet, her actions reflect unawareness of the potential ramifications. How can society better educate individuals regarding the responsibilities of owning exotic pets?
Dr. Emily Forsythe: Education is key. We need increased awareness about the realities of exotic pet ownership through public campaigns, outreach programs, and inclusion in school curriculums. Potential pet owners need to understand the welfare needs of animals and the laws surrounding their ownership. Creating avenues for legitimate animal interaction—such as wildlife sanctuaries and educational programs—can also curb the desire to keep wild animals as pets.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting that you mention wildlife sanctuaries. In many cases, these serve as critical resources for education and rehabilitation. What role do you think they can play in preventing cases like that of Niño?
Dr. Emily Forsythe: Wildlife sanctuaries can offer both a place of refuge for animals and an educational experience for the public. They can demonstrate the complexities of animal care and the realities of wildlife conservation. Engaging the public can foster empathy and understanding, leading to a greater respect for wildlife and a decrease in desire to own them as pets.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Forsythe, it seems clear that while the story of Niño and his owner is heartbreaking, it also serves as a significant lesson for society. What would you hope the outcome of this trial and case will be?
Dr. Emily Forsythe: I hope it raises awareness about the ethical implications of exotic pet ownership, leading to stricter regulations and better enforcement. Ultimately, my wish is that no other animal or individual would feel the need to hide due to the conflicts surrounding wildlife laws. Animals like Niño deserve to live in their natural habitats, and society must prioritize animal welfare above personal desires.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Forsythe, for sharing your insights on this complex matter. It’s crucial that we continue the conversation about the rights and responsibilities that come with pet ownership, especially when it comes to wild animals.
Dr. Emily Forsythe: Thank you for having me. It’s an important dialogue to have, and I hope it leads to positive change for both wildlife and human communities.
