Scottish Wildcat

[Dan Salter]

Hello folks.

Being an extremely southern boy all my life i have only recently learnt of the plight of the highly endangered Scottish Wildcat. I have a new frind who lives in the bute and highlands / islands area and i may be going to see her in the future so was having a butchers at Scottish wildlife when i realised Great Britain does indeed have a Wildcat ...( if you discount the lynx's, black leopards and other exotics roaming the countryside of Kent).
The Scottish Wildcat is a stunning creature and appears to be in serious danger of extinction. I just wondered if any of our northern members have ever come accross a true ( they hybridise..or is it called cross breeding in mammals? with domestic cats) Wildcat on their travels?

I also found a site that has made what looks to be an impressive film about them due to be released on DVD this year

Last of the Scottish Wildcats, a wildlife documentary from Coffee Films

and a related site
Scottish Wildcat Trust, conserving Scotland's critically endangered wild felines

Meooowwww
Dan

[heskin]

watched a film about this and scottish gamekeepers killed about 30 of em in a day and lined them up on the ground the ground

beautifal animals- supposed to be less than 200 leftI think

[demicav]

Such a beautiful animal I believe. It's sad there are so few left but unfortunately this is an all too familiar sign of our times. I'm sure any breeding with domestic/feral cats can't be doing them any favours either.

[The Woodman]

Hi Dan
A couple of years ago in May I stayed in a cottage reknown for pine martens coming to a feeding station in the garden. This property was just west of Strontian on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
Eggs, jam and chicken giblets were put out on the feeding block and a watch was kept at dusk. The big suprise was that a wildcat came and scoffed the lot. It came two nights on the run and then disappeared. The owner of the property was a Forestry Commission Ranger and told me that when the wildcat is around, martens don't put in an appearance. There is are many hybridised cats up in Scotland and unfortunately, despite being a protected species, the wildcat is still persecuted (as are other protected species) by those who are incapable of seeing the big picture or are too lazy to practice good husbandry with their game stocks.
I hope you get to see one, if you do, the memory will last forever.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Hello folks.

Being an extremely southern boy all my life i have only recently learnt of the plight of the highly endangered Scottish Wildcat. I have a new frind who lives in the bute and highlands / islands area and i may be going to see her in the future so was having a butchers at Scottish wildlife when i realised Great Britain does indeed have a Wildcat ...( if you discount the lynx's, black leopards and other exotics roaming the countryside of Kent).
The Scottish Wildcat is a stunning creature and appears to be in serious danger of extinction. I just wondered if any of our northern members have ever come accross a true ( they hybridise..or is it called cross breeding in mammals? with domestic cats) Wildcat on their travels?

I also found a site that has made what looks to be an impressive film about them due to be released on DVD this year

Last of the Scottish Wildcats, a wildlife documentary from Coffee Films

and a related site
Scottish Wildcat Trust, conserving Scotland's critically endangered wild felines

Meooowwww
Dan

Does this mean you might have something going? Well if you do i'd like to say nice one Dan. Have a top trip and give us a thread buddy!

[eeyore]

i dont like your chances of seeing a wild wildcat in scotland - they are very shy , i did catch a glimpse on skye last year but it was litteraly a glance and gone.

you can see them in captivity at the wildwood centre which is in your neck of the woods (well canterbury way) Wildwood Trust - INFORMATION

also for reading i'd highly reccomend "wildcat haven" by mike tomkies , and indeed his other books on scottish wildlife (of which "last wild place" is my alround favourite)

[cf]

I just found this thread responding to something else on Scottish Wildcats, I shot the film mentioned by Dan (thanks for the link!) and just wanted to urge everyone interested in the cats to support the charity he also mentions (now the Scottish Wildcat Association) at Scottish Wildcat Association, conserving Scotland's critically endangered wild felines. There are just 400 wildcats left in Britain and the biggest threat actually comes from unneutered strays breeding them into the domestic cat genepool, a bit like Dingos in Australia, so what they need more than anything is for people just to spread the word and encourage responsible domestic cat ownership with neutering, innoculations and ideally keeping them in at night.

You can find some great photos and info on the Association website as well as a trailer for the film which is out on DVD this summer and donating a lump of profits to the charity.

Great to see so much interest in my favourite cat on these forums!

Steve

[Dan Salter]

Wow ! thanks for the replies folks...and hi Steve!

Didnt expect to reach the filmaker himself? ( Do you know Alan?)

Eeyore, i have been to see the wildcats at wildwood and the new kitten i believe they are involved in a breeding/release scheme now provided the genes check out ok.

Jez...no i dont have something going sadly...almost...but not gonna happen lol.

Steve can you let me/us know in the future when the dvd is released? as i have been waiting for it to come out. Im also going to be doing a presentation on British Wildcats as part of the field biology course of my countryside management degree...so may be tapping you up for any other info

You will be pleased to know i also have had the wildcat association banners all over my myspace page for many months and have joined the group on facebook !

[cf]

I've been politely asked not to do too much of the self promotion on here (sorry everyone!) so keep your eye on the Association website as they'll have all the info up straight away, and I'm happy to help with anything I can, you can mail me via the charity as well, just use the main email address on their site.

Steve

[Dan Salter]

Blimey....that says it all...

I just get amazed sometimes....did Cav from countryfile magazine get the same treatment?

Or would Sir David get "Politely asked" to not promote his latest tv series or dvd if HE came on here? or Simon King?....i think not

Its so nice when industry or media celebs come on to our forums and we get a chance to talk to the people in the frontline only to get a bashing by the rule system.

No wonder certain "celebs" that i know for a fact use this place keep their identity hidden.