An exotic Savannah cat, which had been at large in the Norfolk countryside for two months, has been successfully captured after being discovered with injuries in a back garden plant pot. The animal, named Blaze, is thought to have escaped from its home in Norwich in May and travelled approximately four miles before its capture on Wednesday, 16 July 2026.
Kevin Murphy of Norfolk Wildlife Rescue had been actively tracking the distinctive feline since it was first sighted near Bramerton, south of Norwich, three weeks ago. The search intensified after a sighting on 23 June between the A146 Loddon Road and Framingham Lane, which garnered national attention. Tom Baker, 27, who spotted the cat last month, described it as resembling a "small leopard" from a distance.
Upon its capture, Blaze was found to have a broken right paw and a wound on its chest. Mr. Murphy used a net to safely secure the cat in Bramerton. The animal was then taken to a veterinary surgeon for treatment. The owner, confirmed to live in the NR1 postcode area of Norwich, was identified through the cat's microchip, allowing for its safe return.
Savannah cats are a crossbreed between a serval, a wild cat native to sub-Saharan Africa, and a domestic cat. They are known for their distinctive brown spots and pointy ears. While owners of servals and first-generation Savannah cats are required to hold a Dangerous Wild Animals (DWA) licence, Blaze is believed to be an F2 category Savannah, meaning a licence would not typically be necessary for its ownership.
The incident highlights the presence of exotic animals in private hands across the UK. According to a recent freedom of information request by the charity Born Free, there are two Savannah cats and three servals registered as being kept at private addresses within South Norfolk. This case serves as a reminder of the challenges and potential risks associated with exotic pet ownership, particularly when animals escape into unfamiliar environments.