Meet Velma The Serval At Roger Williams Park Zoo In Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI — Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence has a new wild cat and need help building it an exhibit.

The zoo recently welcomed Velma the serval, one of 75 felines rescued from a private breeding facility in California, zoo officials said. A Roger Williams Park Zoo spokesperson said the zoo planned on adding servals, but Velma came "much earlier than anticipated."

"Servals are a part of the zoo's 20-year plan, however, Velma arrived earlier than anticipated," the zoo said in a Facebook post. "With capital projects already allocated in the budget for the year, the Zoo decided to raise emergency funds to build her home."

Zoo officials said they've been raising money for Velma's exhibit over the last two months. They hope to have a permanent home built for her by winter.

Servals are slender, medium-sized wild cats native to sub-Saharan Africa. They can grow to more than 3-feet long and typically weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. They are known for their spotted and striped fur, as well as their large, rounded ears.

Anyone who wants to donate to the construction of Velma's exhibit can donate online.

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