Inside Scotland's wildcat HQ - 'It's like Big Brother for cats'
The Saving Wildcats partnership is keeping an eye on the latest wildcats being bred in captivity for release into the Cairngorms.
Inside Scotland's wildcat headquarters, animal team leader Estelle Morgan monitors 72 cameras observing the 72 wildcats being bred for release into the Cairngorms. She describes it as "Big Brother for cats," as the cameras assess the animals' health and behavioural potential to survive in the wild. The team wants to know their natural behaviors, such as climbing, pouncing, navigating structures, and activity patterns.
This year, they captured the first footage of a wildcat giving birth. The surveillance is crucial to prevent the cats from becoming too comfortable around humans. The project has successfully reintroduced 46 wildcats, with ongoing breeding and at least 20 wild-born litters since 2024. Dr. Martin Gaywood, NatureScot's species project manager, emphasizes the need for a long-term, large-scale conservation plan to reintroduce wildcats to other areas in Scotland.
Climate change poses additional threats, requiring larger population sizes and populations in multiple areas for resilience. The Scottish Land and Estates have supported the initiative, providing release sites and monitoring the wildcats.
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