LESS THAN 400 WILDCATS REMAIN IN SCOTLAND
They could go extinct within 10 years; don't let it happen!
The Scottish Wildcat Association is a new Scottish Charity (number SC040397) dedicated to conserving and protecting the unique Scottish wildcat. We currently act as advocates and fundraisers for Scottish wildcats and their conservation, and aim to support the official captive breeding-for-release program, field conservation and educating the general public about wildcats and their conservation.
The Scottish wildcat is a unique subspecies of the European wildcat. 9000 years ago at the end of the last great ice age meltwater separated the UK from mainland Europe isolating the British population of wildcats. Since then they have been ruthlessly persecuted by mankind, through loss of habitat, hunting for fur and persecution as a predator of game birds. Today less than 400 wildcats remain only in the Scottish Highlands where they hide away from people; they are the only species of animal to be 100% untameable. Their greatest modern threat comes from feral domestic cats which are breeding with wildcats diluting the bloodline, in as little as 5 years the wildcat will be extinct in the UK if we cannot change our ways.
The Scottish Wildcat Association supports protection of essential habitat, better protection of the wildcat as a species, and a widespread publicity campaign advocating responsible domestic cat ownership and neutering. We also strongly support the UK wildcat captive breeding program which provides the species with the only guarantee it has of survival.
There is lots more information on our website and many beautiful photos and video clips of Scottish wildcats in the wild, drop by; www.scottishwildcats.co.uk!
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