SWA to work in the five areas which are of most benefit to Scottish wildcat preservation

Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia)
Photo: Peter Cairns

Scottish Wildcat Action (SWA) has announced that its five-year project to save Scotland’s wildcats is to focus on five key areas, where evidence suggests that at least 19 wildcats are roaming free.

The shift in focus comes after years of extensive survey work across nine areas helped the SWA team narrow its aim to five areas, which will allow for the most effective use of the programme’s limited resources.

Scottish Wildcat Action is a national project supported by the Heritage

Scottish Wildcat Breeding Sanctuary on the West Coast Island of Carna

The Aspinall Foundation Sets Up Island Sanctuary To Prevent Imminent Extinction Of The Scottish Wildcat

The Aspinall Foundation (TAF) today announces a unique initiative to save the Scottish wildcat which has become one of the most critically endangered species in the world due to mass

Scottish Wildcat is in imminent danger of extinction

Photo: Laurie Campbell Photography 

Hot on the heels of yesterdays post which included the recent press release from SNH, comes another from the Scottish Wildcat Association.

You'll notice that I've changed their headline for the title of this post, because although I echo their sentiments for urgent action, nobody is certain  how many pure bred wildcats are left in the wild, or in captivity for that matter.

For this to be established genetic testing is an absolute priority and it's high time for SNH to formalise their national conservation action plan for

Scottish Wildcat (Felis sylvestris grampia) at Highland Wildlife Park

Male wildcat

Female wildcat 

Male wildcat

Last week I made a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig near Kingussie

Female wildcat

Wildcat faeces

The Highland Wildlife Park was opened in 1972 and, along with Edinburgh Zoo, is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (registered charity SC004064)


As part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Highland Wildlife Park is committed to promoting the conservation of threatened species and habitats; and it was in this context that I had asked Doug Richardson if I could visit their wildcats.

My contact with wild living cats has been limited to date, and I hoped that by spending some time with these cats, in their enclosure, I would get a better feel for their demeanour.

Wildcat faeces

The two cats pictured above are six and five years old respectively and although the male has a domestic cat genetic marker the female is believed to be pure. It was useful to be able to briefly study these cats close up, to photograph their markings and particularly, a couple of faecal samples (droppings) for reference.

My thanks to Doug Richardson (Animal collections manager) and David Barclay (Keeper) for making me welcome and for allowing me access to the wildcat enclosure.

Now for the hard work of finding them in the Glen Affric area.

I've seen one cat which was either pure or hybrid. Now all I've got to do is prove it.