Keeping track of wildcats

Scottish Wildcat Action recently completed the biggest ever survey in Scotland for the elusive Scottish wildcat. Over 200,000 images were collected from trail cameras in the Scottish Highlands over the winter and 19 possible wildcats were identified. This included high scoring cats in Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire and Strathpeffer. Now the public are being asked for their help.

The national project, which is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and supported by the Scottish Government, has launched an innovative new way for members of the public to report sightings. In partnership with The Mammal Society, the Mammal Tracker app (available on iphone and Android) includes a way to report signs of cats living in the wild.

It’s not just wildcats either. Scottish Wildcat Action is targeting feral domestic cats in priority areas for neutering. This prevents cross-breeding and disease threatening the now critically endangered native species.

There is also guidance on how to identify cats in the wild and, once verified, sightings will be displayed on a map of Scotland at www.scottishwildcataction.org/how-you-can-help. Exact locations will be protected.

Those visiting or living in the Scottish Highlands are encouraged to keep a keen eye out for any wild-living cats, whether wildcat, hybrid or feral, and report these using the Mammal Tracker app or website.