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Wildcat population to be surveyed Wildcat population to be surveyed
(20 minutes later)
A survey is to be made of Scotland's native wildcat population. Highlands walkers are being asked to help discover what is happening to one of Britain's most secretive creatures - the Scottish wildcat.
It became extinct in England and Wales 150 years ago but continues to be sighted in Scottish woods and moorland.
Some estimates suggest just 400 survive - although there could be up to 4,000.
Now Scottish Natural Heritage is asking everyone who uses the countryside to take part in a year-long survey to find out the timid animal's true numbers.
Last survivor
The conservation body hopes to assess numbers and distribution.
The count is being done as part of the Scottish Government's Species Action Framework and is an effort to safeguard the rare mammal.The count is being done as part of the Scottish Government's Species Action Framework and is an effort to safeguard the rare mammal.
It has been commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage to assess numbers and distribution. Minister for Environment Michael Russell is due to launch the survey at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig, which has captive purebred wildcats.
Minister for Environment Michael Russell launched the survey at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig, which has captive purebred wildcats.
The animal is the last surviving native member of the cat family to be found in the wild in Britain.The animal is the last surviving native member of the cat family to be found in the wild in Britain.
It has been listed in the Species Action Framework for conservation effort over the next five years, to improve its habitat and reduce threats of cross breeding with feral domestic cats.It has been listed in the Species Action Framework for conservation effort over the next five years, to improve its habitat and reduce threats of cross breeding with feral domestic cats.
The Scottish wildcat has survived by clinging on in habitat margins between mountain and moorland and forest and fields, preying on rabbits, small birds and mammals.The Scottish wildcat has survived by clinging on in habitat margins between mountain and moorland and forest and fields, preying on rabbits, small birds and mammals.