Big cat still missing in Surrey

There's still no sign of the serval cat stolen from the back seat of a car in Surrey on Tuesday.

The cat named Loki weighs about 18 kilograms, and stand about 75 centimetres tall.

Surrey RCMP had initially thought he was a cheetah, a much larger African cat. That prompted several elementary schools to keep students indoors all day Wednesday.

The cat's owner, who was living out of her car, had recently arrived in Surrey from Kelowna.

She had left the animal locked up in her car in a parking lot near King George Highway and 80th Avenue.

The woman also told police that the cat is tame, but requires a special diet, and warns the risk to the public will increase as Loki gets hungry.

Police say a serval cat is worth about $2,500.

• FROM SEPT. 17, 2003: Surrey debates ban on exotic pet sales