Wildcats
Wildcats are probably Britain’s rarest land mammal. Not only were they persecuted in the past but they have also lost much of their natural habitat and now they breed so readily with feral cats (producing hybrid offspring) that their future looks bleak. In an effort to keep them from extinction collections around the country have been cooperating to maintain a small population in captivity. Our wildcats have produced a number of kittens that are now helping in the breeding programme. However, their long-term future depends on there being enough remote natural areas for them to inhabit away from the influence of man.
Wildcats are probably Britain’s rarest land mammal. Not only were they persecuted in the past but they have also lost much of their natural habitat and now they breed so readily with feral cats (producing hybrid offspring) that their future looks bleak. In an effort to keep them from extinction collections around the country have been cooperating to maintain a small population in captivity. Our wildcats have produced a number of kittens that are now helping in the breeding programme. However, their long-term future depends on there being enough remote natural areas for them to inhabit away from the influence of man.
