Jump to content
Join the Unexplained Mysteries community today! It's free and setting up an account only takes a moment.
- Sign In or Create Account -

First Scottish wildcat arrives at 'breed-and-release' centre


Still Waters

Recommended Posts

The first of 16 Scottish wildcats has been introduced to a new "breed-and-release" wildcat centre created in the Highlands.

Conservationists have warned the species is on the brink of extinction in the wild in Scotland.

The plan is to release kittens born at the captive breeding centre at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, near Aviemore, at selected locations.

The first wildcat to arrive is a young female called Nell.

She was born on the Alladale Wilderness Reserve near Ardgay in Sutherland. Her kittens could be among the first to be released into the wild.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-56414261

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

They are so cute.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, TashaMarie said:

They are so cute.

So they maybe but you can have my go at picking them up for a cuddle  

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Matt221 said:

So they maybe but you can have my go at picking them up for a cuddle  

Nah its okay I'm good thanks.

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Hope Scottish wildcat kittens could help save species

Scottish wildcat kittens born at an animal park could be among the first to be released into the wild as part of a project trying to save the species.

In the wild the cat is extinct or on the brink of extinction, according to research.

The Saving Wildcats project is breeding wildcats in captivity with the aim of releasing some in the Cairngorms.

The initiative has announced the birth of the first kittens - a total of eight in three litters.

Sixteen adult cats were paired up earlier this year after arriving at the park in 2021. The project team hope more kittens could be born in coming weeks.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-61495491

The link contains a short video of the kittens

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

A licence has been approved for the release of captive-bred Scottish wildcats in the UK's largest national park.

The first in a series of trial releases at undisclosed locations in the Cairngorms National Park is planned for June.

The Saving Wildcats project said it would be the first conservation translocation of wildcats in Britain.

Eventually, as many as 20 wildcats could be released annually.

There are wildcats in the wild in the Cairngorms, but the population is under threat.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-65065167

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Scottish wildcats bred in captivity have been released into the UK's biggest national park in a bid to save the critically endangered species.

It is the first in a series of trial releases at undisclosed locations in the Cairngorms.

The Saving Wildcats project began introducing the 22 cats to the park last week.

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which is leading the Saving Wildcats partnership, will monitor the released wildcats using GPS-radio collars.

The project was approved under licence by NatureScot and is the first-ever conservation translocation of wildcats in Britain.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-65913889

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.