They may look incredibly cute, but there is so much more to these kittens than their adorable appearance.
For they are playing a vital role in the survival of their entire species.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has welcomed not one but two litters of Scottish wildcat kittens at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park.
These kittens will go on to play a vital role in the conservation of the species.
Also known as the “Highland Tiger”, this incredibly rare native species is facing the very real threat of extinction due to hybridisation with domestic and feral cats, habitat loss and accidental persecution.
However, as a result of coordinated conservation efforts and a conservation breeding programme for eventual release, the species has a fighting chance of survival.
The kittens have spent the first couple of months safely tucked in their dens, but have been venturing out more over the last few days. The playful behaviour that park visitors will see between mother and offspring is not just important for their relationship but vital for the kittens to learn key behaviours.
David Barclay, RZSS cat conservation project officer said: “The birth of these rare kittens is not just another boost for the captive breeding programme but for the conservation of this magnificent native species as a whole. Through our work with Scottish Wildcat Action, we are doing everything we can to save the Scottish wildcat from extinction and the safety net of the captive breeding programme is becoming more and more vital as wild populations continue to decline.
“We have recently developed an off-show breeding facility for the wildcats, one of the largest of its kind in the world for small cats. Through the conservation breeding and pre-release training programme we will eventually use captive born wildcats to carry out reintroductions across Scotland.”
The Scottish wildcat is one of the rarest cat species in the world and is critically endangered in the wilds of Scotland.