Back From the Brink - Scottish Wildcats Getting a Second Chance

With conservation and biodiversity issues falling further and further down the list of political priorities, the idea of animal species coming back from extinction in the wild seems like an impossible dream. And yet, it is something we are hearing about more and more often. From the tiny marsupial bettongs in Australia to the Przewalski’s horse in Mongolia, some creatures are now increasing in population in the wild, giving us hope that for some, extinction is just a state of mind.

The most recent species to be enjoying a second shot at survival is the Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris), Britain’s only remaining native feline. Once found throughout the British mainland, this small and compact feline was hunted almost to extinction, with only a small number surviving in remote parts of Scotland. Efforts to protect this population have been encouraging; so much so that researchers are now hoping to reintroduce the elusive feline into other parts of the country.

The Scottish Wildcat

Although quite similar in appearance to a medium-haired tabby, the Scottish wildcat, also known as European wildcats or ‘woodcats’, is slightly larger and more stocky than a domestic cat, with a black-banded, blunt-tipped tail. In winter, these cats often appear to have relatively short legs, but this is only due to their highly thickened coat.

They are still relatively widespread across Europe, but hunting and habitat loss over the last century pushed them to near extinction in Britain. Although they are a separate species from the domestic cat (Felis catus), they are close enough genetically to allow interbreeding. In fact, there is still a lack of consensus over whether the two should be considered separate species or subspecies (F. silvestris catus and F. silvestris silvestris). As a result, another threat to the continued survival of the wildcat is dilution through interbreeding with the domestic cat.

Bringing Back the Wildcat

The South West Wildcat Project, which is a partnership led by Devon Wildlife Trust, has spent the past two years working with local communities to determine if it would be possible for the Scottish wildcat to be reintroduced into parts of Britain where it once flourished, and the results are looking very promising.

Despite being a relatively small country, the project has found that there is enough woodland and connected habitats to physically support a population of wildcats. And perhaps even more importantly, surveys indicate that such a reintroduction would have the support of the community as well, with an overwhelming majority indicating that they are in favor of the project.

Naturally, some oppose the wildcat reintroduction, with some locals concerned about the possible impact on the wildlife already living in the area. Wildcats are known to primarily prey on small mammals such as voles, rats, mice, and rabbits, and it would be unlikely that they would pose any risks to farm animals or pets. Although some have voiced concerns over the wildcat competing with native barn owls for food, it can be argued that this would simply be restoring the natural balance.

There is also the concern that by increasing the range of the wildcat, the risk of genetic dilution or hybridization will increase.

The South West Wildcat Project hopes to begin reintroductions in 2028, so the next few years will no doubt be dedicated to finding solutions to these concerns so that we can see these adorable felines back where they belong - in the wild.

Feature Image Credit: Stephan Morris, Shutterstock

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