SPRINGFIELD – The pair of serval cats represent more than just a new exhibit at the Zoo at Forest Park, according to its executive director. They also represent a new philosophy for the organization.

Sarah Tsitso explained to Reminder Publications, the serval cats, along with two other new additions are examples of animals that “make sense” for the zoo.

She added the zoo would feature animals who fit into the New England climate, geography and exhibit space, as well as meet the educational mission of the zoo,

“This is a great first step away from the traditional zoo model and to focus on education, conservation and rehabilitation,” she said.

The breeding pair of serval cats  – an African wild cat – came from a zoo in Kansas and their purchase was made possible through a fundraiser at the new downtown Starbucks. Tsitso thanked Paul Picknelly, the owner of Monarch Place, for his help in making the addition of the servals possible.

Tsitso expects the zoo will be hosting a litter of serval kittens in the future.

Reaction to the new cats has been positive. “They are good climbers and jumpers,” Tsitso said. “The kids really enjoy them.”

Using large chunks of meat, zoo personnel coaxed the male serval out of the large plastic pipe where he was resting for a photo. Although smaller than better-known African wild cats, the male serval certainly has the intense look of his larger cousins. They look like a leopard but smaller.

They are located in the enclosure that had once housed two bears. Tsitso noted the area was too small for bears and added because of the limited size of the zoo area a proper environment for bears could not be built.

“There will never be another bear, or elephant or polar bear,” Tsitso said. “They don’t make sense for the size [of the zoo].”

Tsitso also explained there are other new additions to the zoo, some of which are still adjusting to their new home and are not yet on display.

There is a raccoon, Thor, who has been a pet and never been in the wild, she said, along with a mink who had been rescued from a fur farm in Utah. Cherry is a three- legged opossum and Cassie is a one-year-old coyote that suffered an injury requiring the amputation of a leg. She is not on display but according to Tsitso, “She’s become a sort of mascot; you will sometimes see her perched on a staff member’s desk. She doesn’t really help when it comes to getting the work done, but she’s a very cute deskmate.”

The zoo also has two new barred owls and two red-tailed hawks, all of which have medical conditions that prevent them from being released into the wild and a six-banded armadillo named Ally who came from a sanctuary.

Tsitso said there are several exhibit areas in the zoo presently empty as they are going to be part of a major renovation.

For more information about the zoo, go to www.forestparkzoo.org.