The serval cat is one of the most difficult cats to photograph in Africa due to their small size and desire to stay hidden. This pair is a mother with an older kitten that I happened upon one morning while they were hunting.
One major threat to the survival of serval cats is the degradation of wetlands and grasslands. Trade of serval skins, though on the decline, still occurs in countries such as Benin and Senegal. In West Africa, the serval has significance in traditional medicine. Pastoralists often kill servals to protect their livestock, though servals generally do not prey on livestock. Go figure.