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Wildcats Roam Free: Conservation Sees Hope!
6 Mar
Summary
- Wildcat numbers show signs of recovery after conservation efforts.
- The Saving Wildcats project involves captive breeding and release.
- Released wildcats are tracked via GPS, showing extensive travel.
Signs of a resurgence are emerging for wildcats in the Cairngorms, offering a hopeful note for conservation efforts. Although their numbers are still small, tracks recently discovered in the late winter snow indicate a positive trend.
The Saving Wildcats project, initiated in 2015 due to fears of extinction, employs a strategy of captive breeding followed by careful release and monitoring. This initiative has seen success, with 46 individuals released to date.
These reintroduced wildcats are fitted with GPS collars, allowing conservationists to map their movements and study their behaviors. Some individuals have been tracked traveling vast distances, highlighting their adaptability and range.
Encouragingly, these released cats exhibit high survival rates, and there is evidence of wild-born kittens, suggesting the project is contributing to the species' recovery.
