A wildlife rehabilitation center in western Berks County says three African servals escaped their enclosure during the wind storm overnight Wednesday into Thursday .

The smallish, wild cats native to sub-Saharan Africa are not a threat to attack children or pets like cats and dogs, according to the Cricket Wildlife Center in District Township near Alburtis, Lehigh County.

“They’re very sweet, old animals that are probably very scared right now,” the nonprofit center’s owner, Melissa Bescant, told lehighvalleylive.com as the search for them was continuing Thursday afternoon.

The trio got free on the 100 Bitting Road property as the wind storm took down ash trees likely damaged by the invasive emerald ash-borer insect.

Wind speeds reportedly reached 45-60 mph Wednesday night across

See Full Page