Critically threatened British Wildcats have been given new hope after the birth of kittens.
The breeding success comes after the adult ones were released in 2023 and 2024.
They were once widely distributed across Britain, but the population declined drastically over the last century due to habitat loss and persecution.
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The species is listed as critically endangered in the UK and is also threatened by hybridisation with domestic cats.
It is now limited to northern and eastern Scotland.
Now hopes have been raised for their survival in the wild after the successful releases of wildcats into the Cairngorms National Park, as reported by What’s The Jam.
And this summer, several of the released female wildcats gave birth.
Using camera trap footage, data from the GPS-collars that some of the females are fitted with, and information passed on by the public, experts are establishing how many females have given birth and how many kittens have been born.
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So far, all the kittens appear to be healthy.
A spokesperson for the Saving Wildcats organisation said: “This is a huge accomplishment for wildcat restoration efforts in Scotland, showing a natural increase in the wild population.
“The Saving Wildcats team are incredibly grateful to members of the public reporting sightings of the kittens.
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“Although wildcats are typically crepuscular, meaning they are active at dawn and dusk, while female wildcats are raising young, they are often more active during the day and can often be seen during daylight hours with their kittens, which is a natural behaviour.
“Wildcats are protected by law, and we would ask that anyone who sees the kittens be mindful of not disturbing them.
“The first few months of a wildcat’s development are crucial as they learn from their mothers the skills necessary to survive.
“As the next generation of this critically endangered species, we hope that they are given every chance to thrive.”
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