Can the Endangered Scottish Wildcat Be Saved?

The Scottish Wildcat is one of the world's endangered animals, and is considered to be a cat that man will never be able to tame. This rare and endangered animal has become threatened for a variety of reasons. Habitats have been slowly destroyed by farmers and land developers, leaving the only remaining cats in the highlands of Scotland. Man has a selfish attitude that all land is there for the taking and many people don't consider how our lives and well being depend on ecosystems to maintain balance in our world. Each animal has a purpose and when we stand by and allow even one predator or prey to disappear from the land, we create an imbalance in nature that could have devastating results for us. Animal species have come and gone throughout time, but we now have a better understanding of how one lost species can send a ripple effect across our world.

The Scottish Wildcat is an effective predator on the brink of extinction. With only about 400 left in the wild, this cat is at risk of becoming extinct in ten years or so if we do nothing to protect them. This cat has roamed the Scottish highlands for millions of years and is the last free roaming wild cat in Britain.

This fearless cat is considered to be the only wild cat that can be born and raised in captivity, but never completely tamed. It's a powerful wildcat that evolved into an efficient and intelligent hunter long before our cuddly little kitties were on the scene. Farmers who share their land with this rare and endangered animal have great respect for the Scottish Wildcat that is as fierce of a predator as they come.

Known as the Tiger of the Highlands, these large cats once roamed across all of Britain, but are now mainly found in the rugged wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. If you are ever lucky enough to spot a Scottish Wildcat in the wild, it would be easy to mistake it for a large domestic cat. This muscular, black, brown and gray striped cat has a much heavier coat than a domestic cat. The two layered coat protects them from the elements. Intense eyes are set into a wider and heavier looking head. Almost 50% larger than the average house cat, the Scottish Wildcat is as fierce as any big cat, especially if they are protecting their young or feel threatened themselves.

Razor sharp claws, cunning ambush techniques and speed (they can sprint up to 30 mph) help this endangered cat bring down young deer and an occasional lamb. Many farmers find having this elusive and silent night time hunter prowling their land helps control rabbits which are a favorite of the cat. Ground nesting birds, fish, eels, frogs and lizards make up this wildcat's diet. But as far as farmers are concerned, the Scottish Wildcat's main diet of rabbits is what helps keep a balance in their ecosystem. If this rare and endangered wildcat faded from the highlands, rabbits would become an even bigger problem for crop farmers with no natural predator to control their population. The cats also help farmers by controlling rodents and other small mammals that could create devastating results if left uncontrolled.

Like all cats, scent marks are used to mark territory in the form of urination, clawing or rubbing their head and tail against trees or bushes. And like dogs, a cat finding a scent is able to decode specific information that tells them the sex, health and age of the cat leaving the scent markings. It will also let a male cat know if they are in an area where they could find a female ready to mate. Other than mating, the Scottish Wildcat is a solitary cat content to roam their territory away from humans.

The wildcat's behavior is much like that of our domesticated cats. However, when threatened, unlike a house cat who tries to make himself look bigger by raising his hackles, arching his back and turning sideways, the wildcat will raise his hair, arch his back and make fake runs and stomp his feet to intimidate his attacker who could be an unlucky dog or human who stumbled across the wildcat's path. If his hissing and spitting is ignored, make no mistake about it, this cat will attack if it feels threatened and is a formidable foe.

A female will defend her kittens just as fearlessly. They mate once a year in January to March unless they lose their entire litter. The female gives birth in early spring to a litter of 3 to 8 kittens and much like how a domesticated cat will teach her kittens how to catch a mouse, the wildcat will teach her kittens how to catch prey by bringing home a rabbit for them to practice on. Once the kittens are a couple of months old, they are ready to join mom on the hunt and will leave the nest at 6 months and venture into the world alone. The wildcat is quiet by nature and the kittens play without making any sound.

In the wild, these cats will live up to 8 years, but those that live in captivity can expect to enjoy a longer life of around 15 years.

The Scottish Wildcat is a rare and endangered animal that has seen their numbers drop because of man. It's estimated that 92% of deaths of the cat is because of man. Trapped in snares, shot or killed on roads, this animal is now on the brink of extinction. Because of deforestation, their habitat has been reduced from what it once was. These beautiful creatures need man's help if they are going to survive into the next decade and beyond. It would be a terrible loss that would upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem in the Scottish Highlands. -Click here for amazing photos of the Scottish Wildcat.

Scotland's Cat, 400 and Counting, Scottish Wildcat Association

Last of the Scottish Wildcats,coffeefilms.com

Scottish Wildcat, Felis sylvestris grampia, International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) Canada