Two young Highland wildcats made their public debut yesterday, unaware they could have a vital role to play in the survival of their species.
Scottish wildcats are a native icon under threat – and Ness and Einich will hopefully play a significant role in the conservation breeding programme, as part of the new Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan.
This was unveiled on September 24, with the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie set to be one of the main sites to host a population for breeding and possible reintroduction.
The kittens have just started to explore outside their den at the park. Both females have been named in keeping with the park’s tradition to name wildcats after lochs.
Ness and Einich were born late in the season to experienced mother Betidh after she was introduced to Hamish, the park’s resident mature male wildcat.
Douglas Richardson, head of living collections at the park, who is also a steering group member of the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Group, said: “The appearance of these wildcat kittens is the latest such event in the park’s long history of breeding the species.
“But with the Wildcat Action Plan, the contribution that these little chaps may make in the future to their species’ survival will hopefully be more impactful.
“The plan is for a much more aggressively managed breeding programme, running alongside a wide range of other wildcat conservation initiatives that will eventually turn the tide for the species in Scotland.” There is currently debate over the size of the remaining population of Scottish wildcats, with no reliable population estimates, but experts agree the wildcat is one of the UK’s most endangered mammals.
Their biggest threat lies in hybridisation with feral populations of domestic cats and, during daily talks, the park’s keepers often explain the importance of responsible pet ownership as well as the work that is being done to save the species from extinction.
As the only wild member of the cat family to survive in Britain, Scottish wildcats have captured the hearts and imaginations of locals.