Great video and great news! I recently did a video on red squirrels/grey squirrels, after learning that reintroduction is possible with the reds it makes me so much more hopeful for bringing back more of our natives, and for helping the remaining ones we have.
Hopefully we can see their feline cousins return, the LYNX. There is brilliant RUclips talk entitled "Lynx recovery in Europe - Lessons for the UK?" hosted by ZSL Science and Conservation from June 2023. You will need to set aside 1 hr 35mins and like me you will learn something. It is very positive. Sadly it has only had 800 or so views..🐱
@@stevenchristie6165 No you don't. South africa lion population is still quite fragile and threathened and the species is still missing in most of the country. And far from optimal
I had a cat (Kessy) she was almost pure wild cat. her maternal lineage was farm cat, and her father was a wild cat (Unknown purrrity) from the Ancient Caledonian woodlands. and until I had her spayed was a mother to wild cat kittens of her own. Next to where I chopped my would was a natural puddle due to being at the bottom of a slope, it could get 3 Inches deep and she happily sat in it regularly watching me chop would too close for my comfort too. I had a cat flap and she would come in looking like she had just been swimming. Unlike a domestic cat with their Egyptian blud she regarded verry bad weather as good hunting opportunities as sounds are deadened by rain. PS driving home one day about a mile from home a dark streek crossed the road ahead , and it looked like her by time I stopped I was 100 m past her, before I had really opened my dore to call "Kessy" she was bounding along after me, she jumped onto my lap (Our agreed "safe cat place") and we drove home .
In northern Michigan (US) I have NEVER been able to catch a glimpse of a lynx or a cougar. I wish you so much luck, friend! The work you're doing is amazing.
The highland wildlife park is part of the conservation and breeding project. They have some of the wildcats that you can see and money you pay to get in helps the cat project. Its worth visiting.
It's great fun to find a bit of money to sponsor a wildcat. You get lots of information about the "Celtic Tiger" and updates on how the reintroductions are going. I agree with you, Rob: the indisputable difference between Tiddles and a wild cat is the latter's permanently pissed-off, 'you wanna pick a fight?' expression. Attitude with a capital A! I love them 😊
It looks like they are pretty close to releasing Wild Cats in parts of Devon soon! It would be awesome if you could do a video at Rewilding Coombeshead at some point. What Derek Gow and the team are doing there is amazing. Great vid once again mate!
Great news for the wildcat im glad it's doing better! Also a shout out for Cookie! Totally should check him out guys his energy is brilliant he really has a passion for animals!
I saw one in the seventies on a family camping holiday I recall it was big and not friendly at all and just hissed and snarled but they are a wild animal and hopefully will return in viable numbers
Thanks Rob, great video. The Scottish Wildcat is critically endangered by world standards, not just British ones, it’s hanging on by a thread. I hope these captive breeding programs work.
A friend of mine has a camera trap to keep an eye on parts of their farm. They've captured a Scottish wildcat on it several times. I've caught glimpses in the woodlands several times, but seeing them on the camera trap really confirms that they are "out there". The fact that Wildcats are coming back from essentially being functionally extinct is quite a success story. Interestingly (and perhaps sadly), several professional naturalists that I know have long had the attitude that the wildcat is basically already gone, other than an artificially supported population, and that efforts and focus in other areas might be more productive. One actually said to me "Don't talk to me about [insert expletive here] wildcats. I'm sick of hearing about them." That was a good few years ago now though. I wonder if that has changed in light of the more recent efforts and successes?
Bonjour Rob! I've been following your channel for a few month now! It's really great! I've just got an idea, wich is to reintroduce british wild cat to the Knepp domain! The incredible rewilded place in England! I'm a french guy and I'm highly supportive toward the UK efforts to rewild (as well in North America, North Africa, Asia and elsewhere in Europe). I really wish that one day, you and your familly could see a wild wolf in the forest of Great Britain, just like I did in the forest right on my property! In the south-eastern part of my country. I'm sure that the UK will take the rewilding efforts step by step, and reintroduce firstly the lynx, next the wolf, and finally the bear. During a short, medium and long time gradient!
En fait c'est une mauvaise idée. Knepp n'est pas vraiment au milieu de nulle part, c'est pas vraiment sauvage, plutôt de la campagne. Et donc trop de chat errant Pour que ce soit viable. Je serais plutôt en faveur de la réintroduction de rapaces, martres voire même de loutre et pélican sur le site. Une ambition bien plus réaliste. Malheureusement tant qu'on aura pas éradiquer tout les chats errants ou même domestique, impossible de former des populations de chats sauvage dans ces régions. De plus vu la rareté de l'espèce mieux vaut se concentrer sur les options plus sûre, en Ecosse. En revanche renforcer la génétique par l'introduction de quelques chat sauvage d'Europe venant d'autres régions du continent, semble être une bonne idée pour assurer l'avenir du "petit tigre des bois" En ce qui concerne l'ours malheureusement je n'ai JAMAIS vu aucun mouvement pour sa reintroduction, tour comme l'élan c'est l'un des tabou ou grand oublié du rewilding. Alors qu'il serait bien moins problématique que le loup Partout en Europe l'ours est mieux accueilli et toléré que le loup. Et ce même si lui est réellement une potentielle menace pour l'homme. Mais il fait beaucoup moins de dégâts sur les troupeaux et n'est pas la figure emblématique de la persécution et servant de bouc émissaire et figure du mal dans nos culture européenne contrairement au loup.
@@deinsilverdrac8695 Ah oui c'est vrai le fameux problème des chats errants... ben ce sera pas pour tout de suite alors. Mais c'est une très bonne idée que de chercher à renforcer la génétique de populations sauvages !
Eh oui! Moi aussi j'aimerai bien le retour de ces petits animaux dans cet espace exceptionnel! Et c'est vrai qu'il y avait des pélicans jusqu'au îles britanniques auparavant! J'aimerais bien en voir à nouveau en France (en Camargue ou dans d'autres grandes étendues d'eau), tout comme j'aimerai le retour de la chouette pêcheuse en latitude méditerranéenne, ainsi que de l'ibis chauve! Et sans doute d'autre espèces, j'en oublie...
Oui c'est sûr. Ils ont déjà à nouveau les bisons dans un enclos. Après pour ce qui est du lynx, des loups, des ours et du bisons, je reste confiant. Le lynx est celui qui viendra en premier, j'en suis certain. Après pour le reste... ben il faut continuer à préparer le terrain. Garantir déjà l'avenir de certaines espèces menacées sur le sol de nos voisins d'outre-Manche, tel que le petit tigre des bois! Après pour les loups, les ours et les élans... j'y crois toujours... dans un siècle ou deux vraiment!... Pourquoi pas! Quand on aura encore changé, et que le terrain sera optimal ouais...
@@pm1136 Pas besoin d'attendre autant de temps. 20-30-50 ans sont des dates plus réalistes. En ce qui concerne le bison dans le Kent, je vois pas trop l'utilité. 1- L'espèce n'est pas native, bien qu'utile à l'écosystème sa légitimité est moindre 2- Et quitte à le réintroduire, autant le faire vraiment, en liberté en Écosse, pourquoi pas dans les Cairngorm.
So the Saving Wildcats team (584 subscribers) were too busy to talk to 'Leave Curious' (78,200 subscribers) and spread their message? The wildcats need better supporters!
Aspens are beautiful! Have you been to the States to see ‘Pando?’ Located in Fishlake National Forest, Utah, it’s a 108 acre Quaking Aspen Grove, and the worlds largest tree (clinal colony.) 🌿🌿🌿
Threats from us humans unfortunately extend far beyond just our domestic cats. Things like logging in the Cairngorms including during Wildcat breeding season and the current plans to build a wind farm in the Cairngorms by Vattenfall, a Swedish national energy company. This is despite legal appeals and an alternative site nearby that would not affect the Wildcats. The breeding program has significant issues as well including keepers being seen by the kittens whilst feeding them resulting in these released Wildcats turning up in peoples gardens. Something that shouldn't happen. Wildcat Haven do some great work finding these cats in the wild and fighting the plans to build this wind farm. It's nuts during this energy transition that so much good could be done but we just do more damage.
Somehow, I’m am always doing a project at the same time of when you cover these topics. When you were making videos about beavers I was doing a project on beavers, now I’m doing a degree and I’m starting a project on Scottish Wildcats in captivity, at the same time you make this video.
More specifically, I’m investigating the impact of cat-based pheromones on the behaviours of Scottish Wilcats through olfactory enrichment. Which will help to examine their relationships, which can then be applied in their natural habitat in the wild.
It looks very, very different from my "continental" wild cats that I'm lucky enough to have back in my area. And it's not that difficult to see them... if you know where and when ;) So, fingers crossed that it works out on the islands! And then hopefully the lynx!
Cross breeding is the threat of mating between wikd cats and domestic cats. In breeding threat's would be if the genetic pool within the wild cat population was causing mutations and making the species inviable. Or at least that's my understanding of the terminology
What? Domestic cats weren't domesticated from British/European wildcats and they are not the same species. Just because they look like Tabbys and can interbreed doesn't mean they are the same species. Domesticated cats originated from a different species. And I don't know what racism has to do with the purity of a SINGULAR animal species. Humans are only ONE species regardless of race. Wildcats and domestic cats interbreeding is more analogous to human and Neanderthal mixing - similar but different species. The danger is there will be no wildcats left because of interbreeding with another species.
@@francisedward8713 Francis I hate to break it to you but a SPECIES literally means "A group of living organisms capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding" The fact that the cats mentioned in the video can interbreed with tame cats means they are the same species. Domesticated cats may have come from another branch of cats but they're sure as hell the same species. You're plain wrong.
@@lotus_flower2001 You could try googling the species of the following animals: Dog - canus Lupus Wolf - canus Lupus They're the same species. They did evolve from different sub-species but that doesnt make them different species. The fact that they can interbreed proves as much. Unlike for example a horse and a donkey which would produce a mule; the fact that the mule can't breed means they're not the same species.
This is how you see a wild cat. Spend years walking at night, wearing plain normal casual or elegant clothes formed to the your frame. No gear, no bags, no cell phone, no flashlight, and be alone, be comfortable and calm, not stressed, be happy. If you believe you see a cat face, it will only seem "catish" in the scene, then with slight attitude say somthing short, this brings a response from felines, happy hunting. Cat brains are most similar to human brains, and you might feel intimidated with your encounter, or overwhelmed with delight. Stay calm, and walk on, do not linger, no not encroach because its their land, and it took me 4 years of doing this until I was near a lynx family and pallace cat laughing.
Nice video. Still a long way to go as there are estimated to be only 35 or less in the whole of Scotland. I have visited remote parts of Scotland since the late 70's and have only ever caught a very fleeting glance once. One of the reasons why Wolves should not be reintroduced to Scotland. Any predation of Wildcats, however rare, could see the demise of these amazing creatures. 👍👍
The return of wolves to the western United States is being about the recovery of many species of fox , especially the endangered kit fox. Coyotes prey on smaller foxes. Wolves prey on coyotes. A return of wolves could have a beneficial effect on wild cats by preying on large herbivores allowing smaller prey like birds reptiles and rodents to increase, helping wild cats.
@@glenncordova4027 The Scottish Wildcat is very different in that it is not really predated on by native species. Foxes are controlled by gamekeepers to protect Grouse etc for commercial shooting and the invasive Mink species don't hunt them but affect them by competing for the same food source ie birds, rodents etc. With numbers of Wildcats so low is releasing Wolves really worth the risk? Wolves would also pose a threat to other endangered species in Scotland like Capercaillie and Mountain Hare.
This is ridiculous. No such case of predation have ever been documented' Wolves pose no threat to wildcat population. They never actually interact. And if it even were to happen, the cat is agile enough to climb in a tree out of reach. Stop trying to made up half baked excuse.
@@jeremymanning2132 You're wrong. Wolves do not often predate on such prey. And scottish wildcat had no issue living with badger, foxes (which can be a threat to them), wolves, bear and lynx for dozens of thousands of Years. Wolves barely attack ground bird, and even if they Can kill a few small hare the main threat are still foxes and hunter. And wolves would make foxes more warry and less numerous. And help restore the forested ecosystem and brushland where the birds nest So it's a win for the bird
@@deinsilverdrac8695 Actually Wolves predate on everything from fish, amphibians, rodents, birds small and large and their eggs plus mammals up to the size of Bison. Wolves are well known for attacking ground nesting birds/waterfowl and in fact target them during the breeding or moulting season when they are easy prey. They also exclusively hunt salmon during spawning eating very little else which in Scotland would cause issues. Wolves are opportunistic hunters and will eat almost anything which could include Wildcats. Yes Wildcats live with badgers and foxes but in the days when they lived with large predators Scotland was a very different place, mostly temperate forest providing perfect habitat for thousands of Wildcats which could support losses by predation. Today 95% of natural forests are gone leaving only small pockets of ideal habitat for them. Far less of their natural food and more competition for it. Adding a large predator to this environment can only put more pressure on those species struggling to survive.
Are wildcats genetically different species from domestic cats, or just a breed of domestic cats? Everything you listed that make up a "wild cat" were just fur markings that could easily be bred for.
Obvious conclusion - all out war on domestic cats. Anyone who has a domestic cat (Apart from the rare people who keep theirs indoors 24/7) who says they are "animal lovers" need to take a long hard think about that statement. The impact of domestic cats on wildlife is beyond comprehension as high-lighted here. They've got to go or be kept indoors.
That sentiment is unlikely to gain much traction and would garner lots of resentment and a backlash…… however enforcing registration & chipping of all domestic cats and neutering unless in possession of a breeding licence would stand a better chance of success.
@@robertpatrick3350 Really depends on the location and culture. Over here (Finland) city folk will consider a cat wandering outside either an escaped pet or mild animal abuse or both. In the countryside cats are not even neutered and freely roam outside, killing the bird population. No indoor cats outside except for leashed walks is already absolutely normal in many parts of the country, the UK seems still weirdly backwards about it.
@@robertpatrick3350 Neither would work in practice as there's no money to be made out of either approach. The Scottish Wildcat is pretty much doomed to be a zoo specimen because of the cat infestation.
It never went extinct and we already released more back. As for wolves, they could thrive in UK with little to no issue. Just like EVERYWHERE ELSE IN EUROPE
@@mikeoglen6848 There's currently enough space for viable population of hundreds of wolves in Scotland only (not including wales and england) And wolves will by their presence drastically increase that viable habitat by restoring the ecosystem. So several thousands of wolves could live there. And thats for optimal habitat, if you add suboptimal habitat you will get even much more. Too much people my ass, thats not even a true argument or issue. In italy you have wolves that regulary goes in cities like Rome and nobody bat an eye. France have nearly as much people if not more and they have over a thousands of wolves. Same in Italy, Spain and Germany Netherland and belgium are 10 time more densely populated than il, very small, with practically no forest left too and they still have a few packs and dozens of individuals doing just fine.
@@mikeoglen6848 All those statement are based on facts and studies on the subjects made by several scientific zoological research and natural conservation organisation
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I wasn't even aware Britain even had a wild cat. What truly lovely creatures.
Great video and great news! I recently did a video on red squirrels/grey squirrels, after learning that reintroduction is possible with the reds it makes me so much more hopeful for bringing back more of our natives, and for helping the remaining ones we have.
Awesome I'll have to check it out - but yes theres a lot of hope!
My dad was adamant he saw a wild cat in Nethy Bridge back around 09/10!
Hope this breeding programme works!
I kept imagining a wild cat coming out of the underbrush and rubbing against your leg and purring while you are talking about how elusive they are.
Hopefully we can see their feline cousins return, the LYNX. There is brilliant RUclips talk entitled "Lynx recovery in Europe - Lessons for the UK?" hosted by ZSL Science and Conservation from June 2023. You will need to set aside 1 hr 35mins and like me you will learn something. It is very positive. Sadly it has only had 800 or so views..🐱
Looking that up next, thanks for the tip
Link it please?
Hi from South Africa. We have spare lions?😂😂
@@stevenchristie6165
No you don't.
South africa lion population is still quite fragile and threathened and the species is still missing in most of the country. And far from optimal
ruclips.net/video/Z1rbPezS4D0/видео.htmlsi=lcLgGc9a24Os4kHf
Also there is the very informative book “Lynx and Us”
I had a cat (Kessy) she was almost pure wild cat. her maternal lineage was farm cat, and her father was a wild cat (Unknown purrrity) from the Ancient Caledonian woodlands. and until I had her spayed was a mother to wild cat kittens of her own.
Next to where I chopped my would was a natural puddle due to being at the bottom of a slope, it could get 3 Inches deep and she happily sat in it regularly watching me chop would too close for my comfort too.
I had a cat flap and she would come in looking like she had just been swimming. Unlike a domestic cat with their Egyptian blud she regarded verry bad weather as good hunting opportunities as sounds are deadened by rain.
PS driving home one day about a mile from home a dark streek crossed the road ahead , and it looked like her by time I stopped I was 100 m past her, before I had really opened my dore to call "Kessy" she was bounding along after me, she jumped onto my lap (Our agreed "safe cat place") and we drove home .
I've been supporting Saving Wildcats for a couple of years now and I love the work they do. Definitely a worthy cause for anyone looking to donate.
Beautiful animal, and wonderful news.
Really hope Britain's wildlife continues to be replenished, this is great news. Thanks Rob 😁
Britain could use replenishment
In northern Michigan (US) I have NEVER been able to catch a glimpse of a lynx or a cougar. I wish you so much luck, friend! The work you're doing is amazing.
Oh gosh, those kittens!!!❤❤❤❤
This is good news to hear.
The highland wildlife park is part of the conservation and breeding project. They have some of the wildcats that you can see and money you pay to get in helps the cat project. Its worth visiting.
A friend of mine has a similar looking cat, I describe the Wildcat expression and his as being 'Furious at the Universe".
It's great fun to find a bit of money to sponsor a wildcat. You get lots of information about the "Celtic Tiger" and updates on how the reintroductions are going. I agree with you, Rob: the indisputable difference between Tiddles and a wild cat is the latter's permanently pissed-off, 'you wanna pick a fight?' expression. Attitude with a capital A! I love them 😊
It looks like they are pretty close to releasing Wild Cats in parts of Devon soon! It would be awesome if you could do a video at Rewilding Coombeshead at some point. What Derek Gow and the team are doing there is amazing. Great vid once again mate!
Seen a wildcat down in edzell one time just at the foot of the glens. Gorgeous animal, hybrid or no it was still a nice site.
love hearing about people puting in so much effort to save wildlife like this. i hope they can now thrive in the wild :D
Love your excitement over the aspen, but I’m more of a gnarled old juniper person myself.
Great news for the wildcat im glad it's doing better!
Also a shout out for Cookie!
Totally should check him out guys his energy is brilliant he really has a passion for animals!
I saw one in the seventies on a family camping holiday
I recall it was big and not friendly at all and just hissed and snarled but they are a wild animal and hopefully will return in viable numbers
Thanks Rob, great video. The Scottish Wildcat is critically endangered by world standards, not just British ones, it’s hanging on by a thread. I hope these captive breeding programs work.
A friend of mine has a camera trap to keep an eye on parts of their farm. They've captured a Scottish wildcat on it several times. I've caught glimpses in the woodlands several times, but seeing them on the camera trap really confirms that they are "out there".
The fact that Wildcats are coming back from essentially being functionally extinct is quite a success story.
Interestingly (and perhaps sadly), several professional naturalists that I know have long had the attitude that the wildcat is basically already gone, other than an artificially supported population, and that efforts and focus in other areas might be more productive. One actually said to me "Don't talk to me about [insert expletive here] wildcats. I'm sick of hearing about them." That was a good few years ago now though. I wonder if that has changed in light of the more recent efforts and successes?
I'm an aviation photographer and I love mpb, always recommend them when people are looking for some gear.
this was a treat to wake up to
Bonjour Rob! I've been following your channel for a few month now! It's really great! I've just got an idea, wich is to reintroduce british wild cat to the Knepp domain! The incredible rewilded place in England! I'm a french guy and I'm highly supportive toward the UK efforts to rewild (as well in North America, North Africa, Asia and elsewhere in Europe). I really wish that one day, you and your familly could see a wild wolf in the forest of Great Britain, just like I did in the forest right on my property! In the south-eastern part of my country. I'm sure that the UK will take the rewilding efforts step by step, and reintroduce firstly the lynx, next the wolf, and finally the bear. During a short, medium and long time gradient!
En fait c'est une mauvaise idée.
Knepp n'est pas vraiment au milieu de nulle part, c'est pas vraiment sauvage, plutôt de la campagne.
Et donc trop de chat errant Pour que ce soit viable.
Je serais plutôt en faveur de la réintroduction de rapaces, martres voire même de loutre et pélican sur le site.
Une ambition bien plus réaliste.
Malheureusement tant qu'on aura pas éradiquer tout les chats errants ou même domestique, impossible de former des populations de chats sauvage dans ces régions.
De plus vu la rareté de l'espèce mieux vaut se concentrer sur les options plus sûre, en Ecosse.
En revanche renforcer la génétique par l'introduction de quelques chat sauvage d'Europe venant d'autres régions du continent, semble être une bonne idée pour assurer l'avenir du "petit tigre des bois"
En ce qui concerne l'ours malheureusement je n'ai JAMAIS vu aucun mouvement pour sa reintroduction, tour comme l'élan c'est l'un des tabou ou grand oublié du rewilding.
Alors qu'il serait bien moins problématique que le loup
Partout en Europe l'ours est mieux accueilli et toléré que le loup.
Et ce même si lui est réellement une potentielle menace pour l'homme.
Mais il fait beaucoup moins de dégâts sur les troupeaux et n'est pas la figure emblématique de la persécution et servant de bouc émissaire et figure du mal dans nos culture européenne contrairement au loup.
@@deinsilverdrac8695 Ah oui c'est vrai le fameux problème des chats errants... ben ce sera pas pour tout de suite alors. Mais c'est une très bonne idée que de chercher à renforcer la génétique de populations sauvages !
Eh oui! Moi aussi j'aimerai bien le retour de ces petits animaux dans cet espace exceptionnel! Et c'est vrai qu'il y avait des pélicans jusqu'au îles britanniques auparavant! J'aimerais bien en voir à nouveau en France (en Camargue ou dans d'autres grandes étendues d'eau), tout comme j'aimerai le retour de la chouette pêcheuse en latitude méditerranéenne, ainsi que de l'ibis chauve! Et sans doute d'autre espèces, j'en oublie...
Oui c'est sûr. Ils ont déjà à nouveau les bisons dans un enclos. Après pour ce qui est du lynx, des loups, des ours et du bisons, je reste confiant. Le lynx est celui qui viendra en premier, j'en suis certain. Après pour le reste... ben il faut continuer à préparer le terrain. Garantir déjà l'avenir de certaines espèces menacées sur le sol de nos voisins d'outre-Manche, tel que le petit tigre des bois! Après pour les loups, les ours et les élans... j'y crois toujours... dans un siècle ou deux vraiment!... Pourquoi pas! Quand on aura encore changé, et que le terrain sera optimal ouais...
@@pm1136
Pas besoin d'attendre autant de temps.
20-30-50 ans sont des dates plus réalistes.
En ce qui concerne le bison dans le Kent, je vois pas trop l'utilité.
1- L'espèce n'est pas native, bien qu'utile à l'écosystème sa légitimité est moindre
2- Et quitte à le réintroduire, autant le faire vraiment, en liberté en Écosse, pourquoi pas dans les Cairngorm.
So the Saving Wildcats team (584 subscribers) were too busy to talk to 'Leave Curious' (78,200 subscribers) and spread their message? The wildcats need better supporters!
Not everything is about RUclips, sometimes it's about going outside and doing a thing
Love the kitties 🐈⬛
Great comeback for Cov this weekend 🙂
Thanks so much for this! You are ALWAYS a great inspiration!!
I hate to tell you, Lad, but that cat is already a big star in the USA in cat food commercials!
Beautiful 🌿
I seem to remember that back in the late 1950/early 1960s there were still wildcats in North Wales.
nice
Aspens are beautiful! Have you been to the States to see ‘Pando?’ Located in Fishlake National Forest, Utah, it’s a 108 acre Quaking Aspen Grove, and the worlds largest tree (clinal colony.) 🌿🌿🌿
Threats from us humans unfortunately extend far beyond just our domestic cats. Things like logging in the Cairngorms including during Wildcat breeding season and the current plans to build a wind farm in the Cairngorms by Vattenfall, a Swedish national energy company. This is despite legal appeals and an alternative site nearby that would not affect the Wildcats. The breeding program has significant issues as well including keepers being seen by the kittens whilst feeding them resulting in these released Wildcats turning up in peoples gardens. Something that shouldn't happen. Wildcat Haven do some great work finding these cats in the wild and fighting the plans to build this wind farm. It's nuts during this energy transition that so much good could be done but we just do more damage.
Somehow, I’m am always doing a project at the same time of when you cover these topics. When you were making videos about beavers I was doing a project on beavers, now I’m doing a degree and I’m starting a project on Scottish Wildcats in captivity, at the same time you make this video.
More specifically, I’m investigating the impact of cat-based pheromones on the behaviours of Scottish Wilcats through olfactory enrichment. Which will help to examine their relationships, which can then be applied in their natural habitat in the wild.
It looks very, very different from my "continental" wild cats that I'm lucky enough to have back in my area. And it's not that difficult to see them... if you know where and when ;) So, fingers crossed that it works out on the islands! And then hopefully the lynx!
Looks just like my house cat. I knew he was bad ass!
I’ve got one on my bed right now in New Zealand! He is so similar it’s uncanny!
the Wild Fur-baby is making a comeback in Scotland? animal-wise, this is the greatest news i've ever heard on this channel!
Tiger
I love tiger
The Cat is *_ROUND_* and striped
~ me a self proclaimed expert on Wild Cars
Awwwww, pussycats! Adooorable!
You mean interbreeding with domestic cats, not "inbreeding".
love your vids man, keep it up.
Cross breeding is the threat of mating between wikd cats and domestic cats.
In breeding threat's would be if the genetic pool within the wild cat population was causing mutations and making the species inviable.
Or at least that's my understanding of the terminology
❤❤❤😺🐈😺
How is inbreeding with another variant of the same species a bad thing?
In humans its forbidden to even mention that.
What? Domestic cats weren't domesticated from British/European wildcats and they are not the same species. Just because they look like Tabbys and can interbreed doesn't mean they are the same species. Domesticated cats originated from a different species.
And I don't know what racism has to do with the purity of a SINGULAR animal species. Humans are only ONE species regardless of race. Wildcats and domestic cats interbreeding is more analogous to human and Neanderthal mixing - similar but different species. The danger is there will be no wildcats left because of interbreeding with another species.
buddy, its like a wolf mating with a dog. Yeah, dogs are a type of wolf (lupus) but the result here isnt a dog.
Nice 😊
@@francisedward8713 Francis I hate to break it to you but a SPECIES literally means "A group of living organisms capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding" The fact that the cats mentioned in the video can interbreed with tame cats means they are the same species. Domesticated cats may have come from another branch of cats but they're sure as hell the same species. You're plain wrong.
@@lotus_flower2001 You could try googling the species of the following animals:
Dog - canus Lupus
Wolf - canus Lupus
They're the same species. They did evolve from different sub-species but that doesnt make them different species. The fact that they can interbreed proves as much. Unlike for example a horse and a donkey which would produce a mule; the fact that the mule can't breed means they're not the same species.
This is how you see a wild cat. Spend years walking at night, wearing plain normal casual or elegant clothes formed to the your frame. No gear, no bags, no cell phone, no flashlight, and be alone, be comfortable and calm, not stressed, be happy. If you believe you see a cat face, it will only seem "catish" in the scene, then with slight attitude say somthing short, this brings a response from felines, happy hunting. Cat brains are most similar to human brains, and you might feel intimidated with your encounter, or overwhelmed with delight. Stay calm, and walk on, do not linger, no not encroach because its their land, and it took me 4 years of doing this until I was near a lynx family and pallace cat laughing.
😂
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So it is possible that a wild cat is living the domesticated life.
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Nice video.
Still a long way to go as there are estimated to be only 35 or less in the whole of Scotland.
I have visited remote parts of Scotland since the late 70's and have only ever caught a very fleeting glance once.
One of the reasons why Wolves should not be reintroduced to Scotland. Any predation of Wildcats, however rare, could see the demise of these amazing creatures. 👍👍
The return of wolves to the western United States is being about the recovery of many species of fox , especially the endangered kit fox. Coyotes prey on smaller foxes. Wolves prey on coyotes. A return of wolves could have a beneficial effect on wild cats by preying on large herbivores allowing smaller prey like birds reptiles and rodents to increase, helping wild cats.
@@glenncordova4027
The Scottish Wildcat is very different in that it is not really predated on by native species. Foxes are controlled by gamekeepers to protect Grouse etc for commercial shooting and the invasive Mink species don't hunt them but affect them by competing for the same food source ie birds, rodents etc.
With numbers of Wildcats so low is releasing Wolves really worth the risk? Wolves would also pose a threat to other endangered species in Scotland like Capercaillie and Mountain Hare.
This is ridiculous.
No such case of predation have ever been documented'
Wolves pose no threat to wildcat population.
They never actually interact.
And if it even were to happen, the cat is agile enough to climb in a tree out of reach.
Stop trying to made up half baked excuse.
@@jeremymanning2132
You're wrong.
Wolves do not often predate on such prey.
And scottish wildcat had no issue living with badger, foxes (which can be a threat to them), wolves, bear and lynx for dozens of thousands of Years.
Wolves barely attack ground bird, and even if they Can kill a few small hare the main threat are still foxes and hunter.
And wolves would make foxes more warry and less numerous. And help restore the forested ecosystem and brushland where the birds nest
So it's a win for the bird
@@deinsilverdrac8695
Actually Wolves predate on everything from fish, amphibians, rodents, birds small and large and their eggs plus mammals up to the size of Bison.
Wolves are well known for attacking ground nesting birds/waterfowl and in fact target them during the breeding or moulting season when they are easy prey.
They also exclusively hunt salmon during spawning eating very little else which in Scotland would cause issues.
Wolves are opportunistic hunters and will eat almost anything which could include Wildcats.
Yes Wildcats live with badgers and foxes but in the days when they lived with large predators Scotland was a very different place, mostly temperate forest providing perfect habitat for thousands of Wildcats which could support losses by predation. Today 95% of natural forests are gone leaving only small pockets of ideal habitat for them. Far less of their natural food and more competition for it.
Adding a large predator to this environment can only put more pressure on those species struggling to survive.
I damn neae thought you were talking about actual tigers.
Are wildcats genetically different species from domestic cats, or just a breed of domestic cats? Everything you listed that make up a "wild cat" were just fur markings that could easily be bred for.
"Britan's"
This is such wonderful news.
Obvious conclusion - all out war on domestic cats. Anyone who has a domestic cat (Apart from the rare people who keep theirs indoors 24/7) who says they are "animal lovers" need to take a long hard think about that statement. The impact of domestic cats on wildlife is beyond comprehension as high-lighted here. They've got to go or be kept indoors.
That sentiment is unlikely to gain much traction and would garner lots of resentment and a backlash…… however enforcing registration & chipping of all domestic cats and neutering unless in possession of a breeding licence would stand a better chance of success.
@@robertpatrick3350 Really depends on the location and culture. Over here (Finland) city folk will consider a cat wandering outside either an escaped pet or mild animal abuse or both. In the countryside cats are not even neutered and freely roam outside, killing the bird population. No indoor cats outside except for leashed walks is already absolutely normal in many parts of the country, the UK seems still weirdly backwards about it.
@@robertpatrick3350 Neither would work in practice as there's no money to be made out of either approach. The Scottish Wildcat is pretty much doomed to be a zoo specimen because of the cat infestation.
is it pets or feral cats? stray cats? Almost all pet cats are neutered.
Or be neutered.
Leaves hairline.
First
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BTW good video!
Second
They've no chance in this system. There'll be a lot of time and change necessary for the environment to ever become valid again.
I gave up watching this because of the endless promotional content within it.
I think the Wildcat is an animal which could be successfully reintroduced to Scotland. The Wolf, I'm not so sure...
It never went extinct and we already released more back.
As for wolves, they could thrive in UK with little to no issue.
Just like EVERYWHERE ELSE IN EUROPE
@@deinsilverdrac8695 there's not enough Space and too many people...
@@mikeoglen6848
There's currently enough space for viable population of hundreds of wolves in Scotland only (not including wales and england)
And wolves will by their presence drastically increase that viable habitat by restoring the ecosystem. So several thousands of wolves could live there.
And thats for optimal habitat, if you add suboptimal habitat you will get even much more.
Too much people my ass, thats not even a true argument or issue.
In italy you have wolves that regulary goes in cities like Rome and nobody bat an eye.
France have nearly as much people if not more and they have over a thousands of wolves. Same in Italy, Spain and Germany
Netherland and belgium are 10 time more densely populated than il, very small, with practically no forest left too and they still have a few packs and dozens of individuals doing just fine.
@@deinsilverdrac8695 A lot of those Statements need Fact-Checking, I think...
@@mikeoglen6848
All those statement are based on facts and studies on the subjects made by several scientific zoological research and natural conservation organisation
what a grift
it would not GO EXTICT, IT WOULD BECOME EXTINCT.
Gotcha thank you
You must have allot of free time
No need to shout.
@@sitokiaba5404 allot?
ALEART! Grammar Karen in the vicinity, someone call the manager.