“Wildlife Watch”
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SCOTTISH WILDCAT
19 February 2008
2008-2009 Scottish Wildcat Survey
A new Scottish Wildcat Survey has been launched. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is calling on visitors and workers in the outdoors to be alert for any sightings of our most elusive predator, the Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris). SNH believes people using the countryside for work or leisure in 2008 can play a key role in helping the plight of one of Scotland’s rarest and most secretive mammals.
In the last survey between 1983-87 the distribution of the wildcat appeared to be focused on an area north of the central belt from the North East across to Lochaber. Field research suggests there are approximately 3,500 independent animals aged over five months across Scotland. Studies of the animal’s density suggested that Glen Tanar on Deeside had up to 30 wildcats per 100 square kilometres whilst Ardnamurchan had just 8 wildcats per 100 square kilometres.
For the new 2008-2009 Scottish Wildcat Survey we are encouraging public participation to help chart the current health and number of the native population across the country. Throughout 2008 SNH will be working to build up a picture of the wildcat population distribution to assess its current survival prospects as a distinct Scottish species.
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