Scottish wildcats to be released in Cairngorms
A 2019 report found that the Scottish wildcat population was no longer viable.
Scottish wildcats will be released in the Cairngorms this summer, in a bid to boost the wild population of the critically endangered species.
The first trial release is scheduled for June 2023. The eventual plan is to release around 20 wildcats into the Cairngorms National Park each year.
It is hoped the releases will help to reinforce the natural population, which is currently under threat. A report in 2019 found that the wild population was no longer viable, with the biggest threat to numbers coming from interbreeding with domestic cats.
The release of the wildcats will be carried out by conversation group Saving Wildcats, who have been given a licence by NatureScot to undertake what will be the first-ever translocation of wildcats in Britain. The application was made in September 2022 and issues such as animal welfare, the suitability of the site, and the impact on the local community were considered before permission was granted.
The cats will be released into an area of the Cairngorms managed by Cairngorms Connect, a conservation partnership working to improve the natural environment of the mountain range.
Each cat will receive a health assessment before release and have an active microchip and up-to-date vaccinations. GPS collars will be used to monitor them in the wild.
Wildcats used to live throughout Britain, but are now only found in the north of Scotland. Male wildcats are about 25% larger than domestic cats and females are about the same size as a male domestic cat.
NatureScot’s head of biodiversity Dr Katherine Leys said: “Habitat loss, persecution and hybridisation with domestic cats has brought the Scottish wildcat population to the brink of extinction. The Saving Wildcats partnership has been a lifeline for the species and our decision to grant a translocation licence to allow wildcats to be released in the Highlands of Scotland marks a crucial point in the long journey towards conserving this iconic species.
“This journey is not without difficulty, and we know that there are more hurdles to overcome before we reach the point where we are ready to release the wildcats into carefully selected areas of the Cairngorms National Park. Once there, the wildcats will face further challenges, so it’s crucial the project continues to work with local communities, farmers, land-owners and cat owners to ensure wildcats are given the best chance to survive and thrive.”
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