The Scottish Wildcat - on the verge of extinction

[creagdhubh]

I wonder if Locharron or Dalgliesh or someone would consider creating a Scottish Wildcat Tartan where a portion of the proceeds goes to Wildcat Haven?

You know, I'm kind of liking this idea.

Now, that's a fantastic idea, Alan!!!

[Orionson]

I wonder if Locharron or Dalgliesh or someone would consider creating a Scottish Wildcat Tartan where a portion of the proceeds goes to Wildcat Haven?

You know, I'm kind of liking this idea.

Especially if the colour palette of the tartan itself took it's inspiration from the rich earthy colours of the Scottish Wildcat. This is something I'd like to see. Figheadair??

[California Highlander]

Alan, I know the UK and US clan Mackintosh groups post quite a bit about the loss of habitat and hybridization of the Scottish wildcat, but it probably is not as interesting to the XMarkers a large, who are not Chattan/Macpherson/Mackintosh lines.

Interestingly it seems to me that hybridization is almost worse than habit loss for the wildcats. While many kilters are not totally interested, there are people who want to help the highland cat.

[Dughlas mor]

A very interesting and worthwhile thread. Alan and Kyle, thanks for the links. It looks like a tough battle for the Scottish wildcat, but it seems as though it still has a chance. Thanks to clan Chattan for their efforts.

[Calgacus]

Over the last few decades the awareness of such issues has steadily risen here in Scotland, though it is probably not widely known just how critically endangered the wildcat is. Hopefully the tide is turning however, and I sincerely hope that this beautiful animal can be pulled back from the brink.

As an aside, I once owned a cat that I always suspected was at least in part a wildcat hybrid. He was the offspring of a farm cat mother and an unknown father. He had most, but not all, of the distinctive wildcat features, and behaved quite differently to any other cat that I ever had.

[Nathan]

Over the last few decades the awareness of such issues has steadily risen here in Scotland, though it is probably not widely known just how critically endangered the wildcat is. Hopefully the tide is turning however, and I sincerely hope that this beautiful animal can be pulled back from the brink.

As an aside, I once owned a cat that I always suspected was at least in part a wildcat hybrid. He was the offspring of a farm cat mother and an unknown father. He had most, but not all, of the distinctive wildcat features, and behaved quite differently to any other cat that I ever had.

I've read that the biggest threat to the Scottish Wildcat today is not trapping or taxidermy but hybridization with felis domesticus.

[Calgacus]

I've read that the biggest threat to the Scottish Wildcat today is not trapping or taxidermy but hybridization with felis domesticus.

Yes, you are quite right, it is. That's why the project in Ardnamurchan is so important. There needs to be a haven where the population can regenerate with no, or at least reduced, hybridisation.

[Theyoungkiltman]

It is a sad state that they are in. Being a chattan makes it really impact us.

[Nathan]

One of you Chattan folks should edit the wikipedia page on wildcats. It goes on at some length about Clan Sutherland using the wildcat as a symbol but not a peep about Chattan.

[Pleater]

The wildcat is 'just' a cat - it can interbreed with the domestic cat and produces fertile offspring - the DNA don't give a hoot how it survives, as long as it does. It is against nature for living things to remain unchanging.

The wildcat is a beautiful animal, but it is always going to strive to breed and survive even if it is hybridising - something it has no concept of.

The hybrid animals will probably be living closer to people, their offspring will possibly become pets and survive to breed at least once. The pure bred wildcats might run out of habitat or breeding partners but the DNA will be in a cat sitting by the fire - and no doubt looking smug.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: