How sex and the humble moggie may be death of Highland tigers

Published on Tuesday 5 May 2009 22:35

PET owners are being enlisted to help save one of Scotland's most iconic species, which faces the threat of extinction within a decade.

The Scottish wildcat is now rarer than some tiger species, with estimates that there could be as few as 400 left.

A project has been set up in the Cairngorms National Park, one of the species' remaining strongholds, to secure the animals' future with the help of the first dedicated wildcat officer.

The project was launched yesterday by Roseanna Cunningham, the environment minister, during a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig where wildcats are kept and reared.

She said: "The Scottish wildcat is one of Scotland's most charismatic species, but unfortunately also one of our most threatened. I feel passionately about conserving them for the benefit of future generations."

She said the animals, known as the 'tigers of the Highlands', were an important element of the Highland habitat and it was important their numbers were stabilised and increased. Ms Cunningham added: "They are beautiful animals.

"We are not the only country with a small species of wildcat, but they are ours and it would be a tragedy if Scotland's tiger becomes extinct. We get terribly upset about the extinction of Siberian tigers; let's get upset about the possible extinction of the Scottish wildcat."

Dr David Hetherington, the first wildcat officer, will lead the project. He said the aim was to raise awareness of the plight of the animal while getting the public, gamekeepers, ecologists, vets and cat welfare groups to team up to save the species. One of the biggest threats to wildcats is mating with domestic and feral cats, creating fertile, hybrid offspring. Wildcats are rare but at least 100,000 feral cats live in the Highlands, it is thought.

Any domestic species of cat can breed with Scottish wildcats and produce hybrids. Dr Hetherington said pet owners could help by having their cats neutered to stop them breeding with wildcats, while reducing the number of feral cats. Vaccination can also prevent the spread of disease to wildcats.

"About 80 per cent of pet cats are already being taken to the vet, but there are a few people who are not aware they should be getting their cat neutered and also vaccinated against diseases.

"We want to increase take-up rates to make sure that by doing this, there are benefits to their own cats and to wildcats by preventing interbreeding and transmission of diseases which can be fatal to the wildcats.

"In addition, by doing this, you are turning off the tap in terms of the supply of feral cats in the countryside.

"Feral cats are an even more significant cause for concern because they are not getting regular veterinary treatment. Cat protection groups do neuter feral cats where possible and that can also help wildcats."

He added that it could be possible to reduce the "encounter rate" between domestic and wildcats by encouraging action such as keeping pets indoors overnight in areas where there are wildcats.

In February last year, the Scottish Government launched the first full survey for 20 years on the number and health of the wildcat, the results of which are due later this month. The previous full survey found the species was restricted to an area north of the Central Belt.

THESE ARE NO ORDINARY CATS

SCOTTISH wildcats are 17-32in in length with a 12in long tail. They are about 50 per cent larger than the average domestic cat. Pure wildcats are grey/brown with black striped tabby markings.

They have black stripes along their backs but not extending down the tail. They also have blunt black tail-tips, distinct black bands around a bushy tail, unbroken stripes rather than spots on flanks and hindquarters, thick, wavy stripes on the nape of the neck and two thick stripes between the shoulders.

By comparison, hybrids can be identified by coat markings, such as large white patches, a slimmer tail and body or fused and broken up stripes on the flanks.