The Scottish Wildcat - on the verge of extinction

[tpa]

My grandmother used to live in the Wildcat Haven area, but I only ever saw one once and then only briefly. They are so difficult to see that I'm surprised anyone has any idea how many are left. However trapping and chipping them is obviously going to make estimates more accurate, I hope it works.

[GrainReaper]

Now this here is a thread worth following, and a cause that I can spread the word about.

[ThistleDown]

My grandmother used to live in the Wildcat Haven area, but I only ever saw one once and then only briefly. They are so difficult to see that I'm surprised anyone has any idea how many are left. However trapping and chipping them is obviously going to make estimates more accurate, I hope it works.

I have seen two, tpa, in all my years. I'm fairly certain that more than two have seen me, mind you The first was perhaps fifty years ago and near the falls in Allt Odhar, so it was probably a pure Grampias. But the second was near Laggan about ten years ago, so may well have been a cross. That's JockScot's territory; it will be interesting to hear what he has to say if he checks in.

[Calgacus]

Great idea Alan!

I have been walking in the hills for almost thirty years and have only once had a possible sighting. In all probability it was a hybrid.

[creagdhubh]

I have seen two, tpa, in all my years. I'm fairly certain that more than two have seen me, mind you The first was perhaps fifty years ago and near the falls in Allt Odhar, so it was probably a pure Grampias. But the second was near Laggan about ten years ago, so may well have been a cross. That's JockScot's territory; it will be interesting to hear what he has to say if he checks in.

I have seen the elusive Scottish Wildcat three times in my life thus far. Once in the hills above Newtonmore, and the other two times just off of Laggan Road near Cluny Castle. From what I could discern at the time, the two I spotted off Laggan Road didn't appear to be hybrids. The first one I saw in the hills above Newtonmore, ironically along the Wildcat Trail, was only for about a minute or two, so I really couldn't tell if it was a hybrid or not. No matter the case, I count myself fortunate to have seen them in their native habitat, especially as a Macpherson on traditional Clan Macpherson lands!

[tpa]

My sighting was in the hills on the north side of Loch Teacuis, above Rahoy estate, around 50+ years ago.

[Jock Scot]

Rex is right, you may not see a wildcat, but sure as night follows day it will have seen you! I suppose I must have seen a wildcat probably a dozen or so times over the years, I even saw one with two kittens once and always, by accident!

Since the sheep have gone from the hill and the bracken, rhododendrons and the thousands of miles of forestry margins are now going beserk it is even more difficult to see them. I do wonder how many wildcats are lurking within those hundreds of thousands of dark acres? How pure the genes are is anyone's guess, but the last few that I have seen, through binoculars or a glass, seem not to have the distinct black stripes on the forelegs, blunt black striped and black tipped tail, no light brown under-neck fur--its white and the dorsal black stripe seems to go down the tail as opposed to going just down the back. I think all that indicates that they are not "pure" wild cats. Nevertheless, on first sight(and second!) their behaviour is 100% wildcat!

[creagdhubh]

Rex is right, you may not see a wildcat, but sure as night follows day it will have seen you! I suppose I must have seen a wildcat probably a dozen or so times over the years, I even saw one with two kittens once and always, by accident!

Since the sheep have gone from the hill and the bracken, rhododendrons and the thousands of miles of forestry margins are now going beserk it is even more difficult to see them. I do wonder how many wildcats are lurking within those hundreds of thousands of dark acres? How pure the genes are is anyone's guess, but the last few that I have seen, through binoculars or a glass, seem not to have the distinct black stripes on the forelegs, blunt black striped and black tipped tail, no light brown under-neck fur--its white and the dorsal black stripe seems to go down the tail as opposed to going just down the back. I think all that indicates that they are not "pure" wild cats. Nevertheless, on first sight(and second!) their behaviour is 100% wildcat!

Well described, Jock! You are 100% correct!

[ThistleDown]

One of the problems with 'sightings' these days is the size of the feral cat population. It's very, very large where there's a healthy rodent population and that includes most of the Highlands. As Jock has pointed out, it is highly unlikely that a "pure" Grampius can be sighted in the wild today, no matter which of the 35 or 350 figures we accept as accurate. Not that that really matters. Feral cats are just as wild!

[Jock Scot]

Well described, Jock! You are 100% correct!

Its only what I observe Kyle, there is no science to it!

I think many more wildcats------other interesting things in nature too-----would be seen and enjoyed by the public if only they would take their time and KEEP QUIET whilst out in the countryside. I well remember watching the wildcat with the two kittens through a glass from about 400 yards when they suddenly froze, I thought they had sensed me, but no. Some five minutes later a group of hikers noisily hove into view and must have passed the wildcats in plain sight, within 20 yards and never saw them---------or me and the stalker as they passed us within thirty FEET------ as they went on their happy way in blissful ignorance of a sight of a lifetime(the cats!) being missed. Of course and to be fair, had the hikers stopped to admire these wonderful animals, had they seen them, then the wildcats would have bolted in a blink of an eye.