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Wildcat kittens born in Cairngorms National Park
The project's cameras have caught footage of the kittens in the wild.
Saving Wildcats conservation project celebrates success.

Scottish wildcat kittens have been born in the wild in the Cairngorms National Park, marking a major milestone for a conservation project.

Last summer, 19 captive-bred wildcats were released as part of the Saving Wildcats project, which is led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Since then, the cats have been monitored with the help of GPS collars. At least two of the females have given birth this year.

Keri Langridge, Saving Wildcats field manager, said: “We suspected that some of the females had given birth when their movement and activity changed very suddenly, but didn’t know for sure until footage of the kittens was captured on our cameras.”

The mothers and kittens are being monitored, with care being taken not to disturb them. Once the kittens are old enough, the team will attempt to take DNA profiles to make certain that they are the offspring of male wildcats.

Scottish wildcats have become at risk of extinction in recent years, and interbreeding with domestic cats is one of the dangers the species faces. To minimise the chances of this happening, the Saving Wildcats project has been neutering feral domestic cats in the local area. Cat owners in the area have also been urged to make sure their pet cats are neutered.

Helen Senn, lead for Saving Wildcats, said: “This is a major milestone for wildcat recovery in Scotland.

“These births demonstrate that the process of breeding wildcats for release into the wild is working, as those released animals have learned to hunt and survive – and now reproduce in their first breeding season, a clear indication that they are doing well.”

Image © Saving Wildcats

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.