{"id":32681,"date":"2023-11-14T14:08:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T13:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/85b638d0-f66a-4200-aa9f-912112970db5"},"modified":"2023-11-14T15:39:33","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T14:39:33","slug":"rare-wildcats-have-been-released-into-the-scottish-highlands-in-a-bid-to-save-these-highland-tigers-from-extinction","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/rare-wildcats-have-been-released-into-the-scottish-highlands-in-a-bid-to-save-these-highland-tigers-from-extinction\/","title":{"rendered":"Rare wildcats have been released into the Scottish Highlands in a bid to save these ‘Highland tigers’ from extinction"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a battle to save the species, 19 Scottish wildcats have been released into the Cairngorms landscape this year. What challenges will they face and what do they need to survive? <\/p>

By Maria Hodson\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 14 November 2023 at 13:08 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The rugged landscape of the Cairngorms<\/a> has welcomed a pack of predators into its midst, following the release of 19 wildcats into pockets of ancient Caledonian forest this year.<\/p>

Once occurring throughout mainland Britain, wildcats<\/a> are now a critically endangered species found only in the north-west of Scotland<\/a>. The elusive animals are in steep decline, with the population estimated at between only 115 and 314 individuals.<\/p>

A Scottish wildcat in the woods. \/Credit: Saving Wildcats<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The release, organised by the Saving Wildcats project<\/a>, attempts to save the species from extinction by reintroducing wildcats bred in captivity. It represents the first-ever release of wildcats in the UK. Further releases in Scotland are planned for 2024 and 2025, with more than 60 wildcats due to be introduced over the next two years.<\/p>
The 19 individuals have been released in small clusters into mixed forest and grassland habitat and the wildcats\u2019 progress is being tracked using GPS radio collars. <\/p>
Wildcats are solitary creatures, except during the breeding season. The individuals are expected to venture off alone and rely on their hunting skills to survive, existing primarily on a diet of rabbit<\/a>, voles<\/a> and mice<\/a>.<\/p>
$\"Golden$
The ancient Rothiemurchus Forest in the Cairngorms National Park.\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
What is a Scottish wildcat?<\/h2>
Known as the Highland tiger, the Scottish wildcat is a native feline with mottled markings that resembles the domestic tabby cat. It can be distinguished by its larger, stockier frame, longer legs and bushy, blunt tail with a black tip and rings. Its head is large and flat with ears that stick out to the side. <\/p>
Its muscular build, sharp eyesight and acute sense of smell and hearing gives it its stealth and hunting prowess.<\/p>
$\"A$
Look out for the thick, black-tipped tail, a distinguishing feature of wildcats. \/Credit: Saving Wildcats<\/figcaption><\/figure>
How well are the wildcats doing?<\/h2>
\u201cMost individuals have stayed relatively local to the release locations so far, while others have explored more widely across Badenoch and Strathspey,\u201d says Dr Keri Langridge, Saving Wildcats In-Situ Conservation Manager, who is leading the tracking.<\/p>
\u201cThe cats are typically using a mixture of rough grassland, mixed woodland and riparian habitats, which provide prey such as mice and voles, as well as cover to hide from disturbance threats, including people and dogs.<\/p>
\u201cCamera traps which we have positioned across the release sites have also recorded videos of the animals exhibiting positive behaviours, such as hunting prey.\u201d<\/p>
A released wildcat prowls the woods at night. \/Credit: Saving Wildcats<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The young wildcats were introduced into their new habitat by a process known as \u2018soft release\u2019, in which the animals have an acclimatisation period in the intended release habitat. The wildcats spent a period within enclosures within the Cairngorms landscape before their final release, in an effort to reduce stress and aid in post-release mortality.<\/p>
$\"Three$
Three young wildcats before release. \/ Credit: Saving Wildcats<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u201cIt is still very early in the process but the first release of wildcats into Britain has been a success so far,\u201d says Dr Helen Senn, Saving Wildcats Project Lead and RZSS Head of Science and Conservation Programmes.<\/p>
Wildcat breeding <\/h2>
The wildcats were born at the Highland Wildlife Park<\/a>, which is in now in its second successful year of Saving Wildcats\u2019s breeding for release programme.<\/p>
$\"Wildcat$
Five kittens were born to wildcat mother Tulla in 2022 at the Highland Wildlife Park.\/Credit: Saving Wildcats<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This summer, the project welcomed 13 kittens, which are due to be released into the wild in 2024.<\/p>
Wildcat kittens are vulnerable in their first weeks and months, when they rely on their mothers. They are gradually prepared for the challenges of life in the wild over the next year.<\/p>