Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts) Wed Nov 12, 2014, 10:29 AM Nov 2014

Experts fear Scottish wildcat may be extinct

The Scotsman
12 November, 2014
Experts fear Scottish wildcat may be extinct
by ILONA AMOS

THE Scottish wildcat may already be consigned to folklore as genetic tests reveal the native feline may already be extinct.

Experts have identified hybridisation through interbreeding with domestic and feral animals as the biggest threat to the survival of the UK’s only indigenous cat species.

Now conservationists have admitted that analysis of samples collected over 30 years of research on the critically endangered cat reveal none were 100 per cent genetically pure.

The shock revelation came yesterday as government agency Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published a new report setting out proposals for the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan....

MORE at http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/experts-fear-scottish-wildcat-may-be-extinct-1-3601814

6 replies

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Experts fear Scottish wildcat may be extinct (Original Post) theHandpuppet Nov 2014 OP

Well, what do they expect, really? MADem Nov 2014 #1

Yep, I'm afraid this should come as no surprise theHandpuppet Nov 2014 #3

:( shenmue Nov 2014 #2

Here's a site for more info and great pics of the wildcat theHandpuppet Nov 2014 #4

Apparently there's still some hope? theHandpuppet Nov 2014 #5

The situation seems similar okasha Jan 2015 #6

MADem

(135,425 posts)

1. Well, what do they expect, really?

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2014, 10:32 AM

Nov 2014

"OK all you feral cats, no 'cattin' around' with those wildcats, you hear? And you domestic toms, I don't care if your mummy lets you out at night--you stay away from those Wild Thangs!!"

Felines gonna procreate, it's what they do...

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)

3. Yep, I'm afraid this should come as no surprise

Reply to MADem (Reply #1)

Wed Nov 12, 2014, 10:45 AM

Nov 2014

I think the only hope for any genetically "pure" specimens would have to come from zoos, if there are some in captivity.

shenmue

(38,537 posts)

2. :(

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2014, 10:33 AM

Nov 2014

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)

4. Here's a site for more info and great pics of the wildcat

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2014, 11:00 AM

Nov 2014

What a beautiful animal.

http://www.scottishwildcats.co.uk/wildcat.html

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)

5. Apparently there's still some hope?

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2014, 11:07 AM

Nov 2014

BBC News
11 November 2014
Six Scottish wildcat conservation areas identified

Six priority areas for Scottish wildcat conservation have been identified following research commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)...

...Thee Angus Glens, Strathbogie in Aberdeenshire, Strathavon in Moray and Morvern, Strathpeffer and Dulnain in the Highlands are the six areas.

The research suggested these were where wildcats had the best chance.

Nine areas were assessed as part of the multi-agency Wildcat Action project. Work to conserve wildcats in the six selected sites is to start next year....

MORE at http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30002335

okasha

(11,573 posts)

6. The situation seems similar

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 11:30 PM

Jan 2015

to that of the American red wolf, who were successfully pulled back from extinction.

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