scotland’s forgotten cat. what is a scottish wildcat? felis silvestris last native feline large...
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What is a Scottish wildcat?
• Felis silvestris• Last native feline• Large and robust• Well adapted• Solitary and territorial• Favour wooded landscapes
How to spot a wildcat1. Dorsal stripe on
lower back always stops at root of tail.
2. Tip of tail blunt and black.
3. Distinct aligned tail bands.
4. Unbroken flank stripes.
5. No spots on rump; stripes may be broken, but distinct.
6. Four nape stripes broad, wavy and un-fused.
7. Two shoulder stripes.
What are the problems for wildcats
• Historically found throughout the UK
• Deforestation• Hunting• Persecution• Scattered, small populations• Road fatalities• Disease• Hybridisation
What is being done to help?
• Scottish wildcat conservation action plan
• Aim – within six years to have implemented conservation action to halt the decline of the Scottish wildcat
Plan aims• By 2019 the aims are to achieve the following:
1. Secured at least 5 stable populations of Scottish wildcats in the wild
2. Have a better understanding of wildcat distribution numbers, genetics and the extent of hybridisation
3. Greater local awareness of the threats posed by domestic cats, feral cats and hybrids to wildcats and of the features that distinguish them
4. Responsible domestic cat ownership will have been widely adopted in priority areas and promoted throughout the Highlands
5. Reduced risk of accidental persecution of wildcats6. A better understanding of factors that affect
wildcat numbers and how land management can benefit population viability
To find out more….• The project is always changing
and moving forwards.• www.highlandtiger.com• http://www.facebook.com/#!/
pages/Highland-Tiger/88858225867
Other useful web pages -• http://www.snh.gov.uk/publicatio
ns-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/publication-detail/?id=2050
• http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/forest/species/wildcat.html