Strathpeffer hotspot's vital role in wild cat survival
SCHOOL pupils in Ross-shire could be the key to saving an iconic creature in danger of extinction.
That’s one of the key messages from a new campaign launched by Scottish Wildcat Action (SWA) to encourage people to help save the UK’s most endangered carnivore.
#GenerationWildcat calls on the public, including outdoor enthusiasts, farmers and gamekeepers, to join the battle to bring the "Highland Tiger" back from the edge of extinction.
Strathpeffer is one of the wildcat hotspots of special interest to campaigners who also say pet lovers can play their part by neutering their cats to prevent hybridization with the endangered species.
Dr Roo Campbell, SWA project manager, said: "The time to save the Scottish wildcat is now. We are almost certainly the last generation who has a realistic chance of saving this iconic species from extinction in Scotland. Wildcats here face three key threats: hybridization with feral domestic cats, disease and accidental killing.
"Through our campaign we want to reach out to the people who can help tackle these threats by taking action, including reporting sightings of wildcats and un-neutered feral cats. We will only regret tomorrow what we don’t do today, so I would encourage as many people as possible to join in this campaign."
The group is already working with schools in its priority areas because children "represent the group who can carry our work forward into the future, educate the next generation and maintain an environment in which wildcats can continue to thrive".
A sustained marketing campaign will target priority areas that include Strathpeffer.
The farming community is urged to report un-neutered farm or feral cats in the priority areas to SWA and ensure their cats are healthy to prevent disease spread to Scottish wildcats.
Outdoor enthusiasts are also being encouraged to report any wildcat sightings via the SWA website. Wildcats can look superficially similar to a tabby-marked domestic or feral cat. Information on how to identify a wildcat can be found on the site.
Dr Campbell said: "If we don’t do anything, the kids in schools today will be the last living with these animals in the wild. It’s an iconic animal, one we really feel is ours in this area."
The campaign is backed by Roseanna Cunningham, Scottish cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and land reform. She said: "There is undoubtedly a great groundswell of support for the Scottish wildcat. The key for us is to turn that support into meaningful and effective action. What we need to get across is that now is the time to save Scotland’s wildcat.
"The actions we take today will determine the future of this much loved and charismatic species.
"Education, as ever, is vital to the conservation of our Scottish wildcat.
"We need to encourage buy in from the game keeping and land management sector so that they see the value of carrying out wildcat-friendly predator control practices."
