Identifying pure-bred wildcats
Researchers at the University of Chester are hoping to form a gene test to show a distinction between pure-bred wildcats and those cross-bred with domestic cats.
It is thought that pure-breds are mostly threatened by interbreeding with runaway domestic cats, and it is believed that fewer than 100 remain in he wild. The study aims to protect pure-breds from extinction.
Wildcats can grow up to four feet (1.22m) long, however, there has been some recent confusion as to whether sightings are actually of feral domestic cats.
The researchers are using various DNA samples, including a Victorian specimen kept in the British Museum to help identify a true wildcat.
Paul O'Donoghue, senior lecturer in biology, has been working with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to establish how many pure-bred wildcats still exist.
He said sightings were becoming less frequent, and a breeding programme was urgently needed to prevent them from completely disappearing. He adds: 'time is rapidly running out for them.'
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