<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/18/european-wildcats-could-be-seen-again-in-england-for-first-time-in-100-years>
"The prospect of European wildcats prowling in south-west England has taken a
leap forward after a two-year study concluded a reintroduction was feasible –
and most local people were positive about the idea.
Felis silvestris has been absent from mid-Devon for more than a century, but
the area has been judged to have the right kind of habitat to support a
population of the wildcat.
The area has the woodland important for providing cover and den sites while its
low intensity grasslands and scrubland create good hunting terrain.
According to the study, the wildcats would not be harmful to humans or to farm
livestock and pets. It envisages between 40 and 50 animals being released,
though not before 2027.
There may be some hitches. Interbreeding between wildcats and feral/domestic
cats is an issue for wildcat populations in Scotland, threatening the genetic
security of the species.
For a reintroduction project in the south-west to succeed, the study says there
would have to be cooperation with local communities and cat welfare
organisations to support a neutering programme for feral and domestic cats.
The two-year investigation was carried out by the South West Wildcat Project –
a partnership of organisations led by Devon Wildlife Trust which includes
Forestry England and the Derek Gow Consultancy, which works on “rewilding”
projects.
It looked at the effects on people, communities, other wildlife, farming
livestock and pets and examined the long-term sustainability of a wildcat
population after reintroduction."
Cheers,
*** Xznni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
