Scotland’s Forgotten Cat

What is a Scottish wildcat? Felis silvestris Last native feline Large and robust Well adapted Solitary and territorial Favour wooded landscapes

Where do wildcats live?

How to spot a wildcat 1.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.

Wildcat or Not?

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 wildcats 6.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. d-Tiger/ d-Tiger/ Other useful web pages - and-research/publications/search-the- catalogue/publication-detail/?id= and-research/publications/search-the- catalogue/publication-detail/?id= s/wildcat.html s/wildcat.html