Wild Cats Uk Scotland
Scottish wildcats originally European wildcats have existed since the Ice Age and were once a common sight in the British countryside and across Europe.
Wild cats uk scotland. These have been domesticated for some time and are brought these as pets to Britain. Wildcats are truly wild cats and are perhaps the most difficult animals to see in the wild in Scotland. But recent studies suggest there are too few genuine wildcats left in the wild for the species to.
Many wildcats breed with feral domestic cats. The wildcat would have once been found throughout mainland Britain. This predominantly grey coloured cat has a distinctive bushy tail with seven black bands around it.
The Scottish wildcat is the only native member of the cat family still found in the wild in Britain. They are the largest of the wildcat family and can be double the size of a domestic pet cat and infinitely more ferocious. 350 could feed a wildcat for an entire year in the new centre.
We are the only Scottish wildcat conservation group focussed solely on saving the wildcat in the wild where it belongs. These beautiful creatures are critically endangered and are at risk of cross-breeding with domestic felines. The Wild Cat Felis silvestris is Britains only wild member of the cat family and bears a close resemblance to the domestic tabby cat.
The wild cat was once common over most of the British Isles but it is now only found in Scotland and is under threat with an estimated 400 remaining outside captivity. Once widespread wildcats are now on the brink of extinction in Scotland. No one knows exactly how many of these shy secretive creatures roam the Scottish Highlands although some estimate there could be fewer than 50 but certainly not more than a few hundred.
This project includes the development of Britains first dedicated wildcat conservation breeding for release centre and aims to secure the future of the species. 750 could feed a wildcat for a week. Scottish wildcat conservation timeline 500 BCE.