A new drive by the Royal Zoological Society Of Scotland aims to help the Scottish Wildcat from becoming extinct.
The Scottish Wildcat is a critically endangered animal. There is estimated to be from 35 Scottish Wildcat individuals remaining in the wild of Scotland today,and up to 300 individual Scottish Wildcats remaining in the wild today. This makes Scottish Wildcats the most endangered wild mammal in Britain today, and one of the countries most endangered wild animals today.
The exact number of Scottish Wildcats is not known. But, what is known is that their population is extremely weak - it seems doubtful that there are more than 100 Scottish Wildcats remaining in the wild today. The generous estimate of their population is that there is a maximum of 300 wild cats left in the wild today.
These wild cats are more endangered than Tigers.
Scottish Wildcats are threatened with extinction for two main reasons today. The first reason is due to their habitat being destroyed: their forest home in the highlands of Scotland is currently being deforested. The second reason why Scottish Wildcats are threatened with extinction, is due to them breeding with feral cats.
Despite the Scottish Wildcat being critically endangered and near extinction, it is not too late. Other wild cats have made a comeback from a similar position. For example, the Amur Leopard population was only around 35 to 45 just a few years ago. Amur Leopards are still critically endangered, and very vulnerable to extinction. However, through successful conservation work, their numbers have doubled - there are now 64 Amur Leopards in the wild today. It's an example that shows us that not all hope is lost for the Scottish Wildcat yet: these animals can be successfully conserved.
But, to do that, conserving Scottish Wildcats must happen now, there is no time to waste for these beautiful animals - time is not on our side for the Scottish Wildcat. If we don't act now to preserve Scottish Wildcats, then they will become extinct. We are the last generation that can save these beautiful wild cats.
The Royal Zoological Society Of Scotland is trying to save the Scottish Wildcat; they are proposing to set up a new breeding center to help save the Scottish Wildcat. They need our help to do that though. Please help them by following this link - here.