Wild Cat Hybrids

[Jim Ford]

There's been mention of wildcats DNA becoming 'diluted' by mating with domestic cats, but have any domestic cats borne litters with clear evidence of the female having mated with a wildcat?

Jim

[larachmor]

It is thought that the population of Scottish Wildcat is down to around 400 indiviudals. Of these 400, short of obtaining DNA samples from each, it is virtually impossible to determine as to whether a true 100% wildcat indeed exists.
Most hybrids are as a result of matings with feral cats - those that roam the more wilder, remoter areas of The Highlands rather than your average domestic cat. Undoubtedly, there will be litters of kits where this dilution will be evident. (Autumnwatch featured perhaps one apparently totally black example last week)
A programme is about to start in The Highlands, where is it intended to trap feral cats, have them sterilised and released in their home area.
A host of information is available on the Highland Tiger website .....

http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publicati...eports/356.pdf