Don't play mother to 'lost' wildcat kittens in Cairngorms
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The public is being urged to be hands off if they spot a possible Scottish Wildcat kitten in the wilds of Strathspey unless they are certain it is in immediate danger.
Experts have issued the warning after a well-meaning member of the public removed possible kittens from the wild and their mother.
Rare wildcats – and other cats in the countryside – are now at an age when they are out and about, even without their mums.
Scottish Wildcat Action Project Officer Emma Rawling said: "If anyone sees tabby kittens alone in a possible wildcat area and or if mother looks like a wildcat, the public should be cautious and assume they could be wildcat kittens.
"Wildcats are protected by law. Those concerned about possible wildcat kittens seen alone without their mother should not disturb them but back off quietly, observe carefully and seek expert advice.
"Mum could be put off from returning to the den if people intervene. The den is also legally protected and disturbing a wildcat inside is also an offence. Contact Scottish Wildcat Action, Scottish Natural Heritage, or the SSPCA. This keeps individuals on the right side of the wildlife protection laws, and helps ensure the best possible outcome for the kittens too."
SWA project areas manager, Dr Roo Campbell, said: "We are well into kitten season now and we have already had a number of inquiries relating to possible wildcats kittens, some in Badenoch and Strathspey.
"What we would say is that it is virtually impossible to tell whether kittens are tabby domestic cats or wildcat kitten at a young age.
"We wouldn't recommend making an assessment until around six months of age.
"A nursing mother wildcat will temporarily leave the kittens to go hunting and could be scared off by lots of human activity around the kittens."
He explained: "When working with wild individuals held in captivity, we have the luxury of using the combined pelage (coat markings) and genetic scoring to assess whether an individual is a wildcat.
"If found in the wild, we would ensure that both tests are done before confirming whether they are wildcat kittens.
"Unfortunately, such is the poor status of the Scottish wildcat population, any kittens found are likely to be feral-hybrid cats than of wildcats.
"If suspected wildcat kittens are reported to SWA and they turn out to be wildcats then when it comes to returning these individuals to the wild it is important to ensure there exists a viable population in the same area and that risks such as hybridisation and disease have been mitigated against.
"In this context we would highlight that a suitable release location is one where there is a programme of trap neuter vaccinate and return of feral cats such as conducted by SWA."
