Leg amputation, new home in store for 'Bruno,' the wild African cat found in Lincoln

Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News
·2 min read

LINCOLN — A wild African serval found roaming around Lincoln will be placed with the Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, after he has his broken leg amputated.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center announced the plan on Tuesday. Staff successfully captured the tawny, black-spotted cat — now nicknamed "Bruno" — last week and rushed him to the MSPCA-Angell's Jamaica Plain headquarters for evaluation.

But his hind leg, which is broken in two places, has been deemed beyond repair.

"Servals can do very well on three legs and the MSPCA’s adoption center veterinary team, in consultation with the team at Wildcat Sanctuary, is confident this outcome will provide Bruno the best opportunity for a pain-free life after surgery," Rob Halpin, a spokesperson for MSPCA, wrote in an email.

Bruno, the wild African serval cat found in Lincoln, will have his leg amputated before he is placed in a sanctuary in Minnesota.
Bruno, the wild African serval cat found in Lincoln, will have his leg amputated before he is placed in a sanctuary in Minnesota.

Amputation could happen as soon as Wednesday

Before the surgery, Bruno will receive full body X-rays to screen for metabolic one disease, which is a common issue in these cats, according to the MSPCA. X-rays will determine the health of his musculoskeletal system and whether further medical care is needed.

Read more: An illegal wild African cat was found in a Lincoln neighborhood with leg broken in 2 spots

If there are no concerns, the amputation will be performed at the MSPCA-Angell Boston clinic soon, possibly on Wednesday, with assistance from the anesthesia team at Angell Animal Medical Center. He will also be neutered to prepare for his time at the sanctuary.

Bruno, the wild African serval cat found in Lincoln, will have his leg amputated before he is placed in a sanctuary in Minnesota.
Bruno, the wild African serval cat found in Lincoln, will have his leg amputated before he is placed in a sanctuary in Minnesota.

Bruno’s medical bills are expected to reach $5,000. The MSPCA said anyone who wishes to donate can do so at mspca.org/Bruno.

Where is Bruno going?

His new home in Sandstone, Minnesota, already has 15 other servals. The medium-sized cat is native to sub-Saharan Africa but is illegal to own in Massachusetts, except for zoos with a proper permit.

The nonprofit Wildcat Sanctuary provides a "natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspires change to end the wildlife crisis," according to its website.

“Not only will Bruno live out his life at a sanctuary that offers him a natural and safe habitat with heated, indoor buildings, but is going to a place that shares the MSPCA’s values: that wild animals do not exist for our entertainment," said Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy for the MSPCA, in a statement.

Bruno, the wild African serval cat found in Lincoln, will have his leg amputated before he is placed in a sanctuary in Minnesota.
Bruno, the wild African serval cat found in Lincoln, will have his leg amputated before he is placed in a sanctuary in Minnesota.

Bruno has no ID tags and is not microchipped, making it "near impossible" to identify the owner, said MSPCA-Angell.

Zane Razzaq writes about education. Reach her at 508-626-3919 or zrazzaq@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Wild serval found in Lincoln will have leg amputated, moved