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Tuesday, 19 February 2008 |
A new campaign to assess the Scottish wildcat population has been launched, with the Government urging people to take part.
Scottish wildcats were once widely distributed throughout Britain but are now restricted to isolated parts of Scotland after extensive hunting and habitat loss in Victorian times. The wildcats also face threats from inter-breeding with domestic and feral cats.
Environment Minister Michael Russell said all Scots could contribute to the Scottish Natural Heritage administered survey:
“The elusive wildcat is one of our most exciting and charismatic species, but also one of our most threatened. The last survey, conducted in the Eighties, suggested very low population densities in parts of the country where you could expect to find the animals. In order to ensure that future generations can enjoy this wonderful native animal we need an up-to-date and comprehensive picture of its distribution, trends and threats.
“People in the countryside, whether working there or simply out for a walk, now have a chance to participate in important conservation work. I would encourage anyone who comes into contact with a wildcat or suspected wildcat in the countryside to record the details and report the encounter to the Scottish Wildcat Survey.”
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