Today is Scottish Wildcat Day; Happy Scottish Wildcat Day!
Scottish wildcats are beautiful cats that are now only found in the Scottish highlands. Today, Scottish Wildcats are critically endangered, with as few as only 35 cats remaining in the wild. Scottish Wildcat Day was founded by Action For Earth, as a way to raise awareness about Scottish Wildcats.
The History Of Scottish Wildcats
Scottish Wildcats were once found in most parts of the British Isles.
These beautiful cats were once found throughout Scotland, England and Wales, until recent history. The wildcats only went extinct in England & Wales during the late Victorian era. They went extinct due to being hunted and habitat loss.
Scottish Wildcats almost went extinct around the time of World War One. Scottish Wildcats have disappeared throughout most of Scotland today, for the same reasons that they have disappeared from England & Wales: wildcats have disappeared from most of Scotland today due to habitat destruction and persectuation.
The Threats They Face In The Modern World
Even today, Scottish Wildcats sadly still face threats to their existence.
Scottish Wildcat Day is also a day to raise awareness about the threats that these cats face to their existence. One of the main threats to the Scottish Wildcats today is habitat destruction. The destruction of their forest home in the highlands of Scotland is a threat that could push the Scottish Wildcat to extinction.
Wildcat Haven is campaigning to help save the Scottish Wildcats forest home from destruction. They created a petition called 'Save the Scottish Wild by Protecting The Clashindarroch Forest!' This petition has become MASSIVE, has almost been signed by ONE MILLION people so far. The petition is calling for the Scottish Government to stop destroying the forests where the Scottish Wildcats are living.
To save Scottish Wildcats from extinction, we must protect their forest home. Habitat destruction like the destruction of the Clashindarroch forest, is one of the main reasons that Scottish Wildcats are critically endangered today.
Protecting and saving places like forests, is important in saving animals like the Scottish Wildcat from extinction. Another big threat Scottish Wildcats face today, is them breeding with feral or domestic cats in the wild.
The Future For Scottish Wildcats
Although Scottish Wildcats are critically endangered and their habitat is being destroyed today, there is room for cautious hope.
In captivity, Scottish Wildcats are being bred to help save the species. Chester Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park are two places which are trying to save Scottish Wildcats from extinction. There is also a new Scottish Wildcat centre in the works, the aim of this new Scottish Wildcat centre will be to breed the Scottish Wildcats so that they can be released into the wild.
This could be crucial to saving Scottish Wildcats.
Scottish Wildcat Day
Scottish Wildcat Day, is a great day to raise awareness about these beautiful cats.
By raising awareness about them, we can help save them from extinction. If more people know about the threats that they face, more people will want to help them.
Scottish Wildcat Day is also a great day to appreciate these beautiful cats. Did you know that they also have the cool name of Highland Tiger?
There is still time to save these beautiful Highland Tigers from extinction. They are Scotland's most endangered animal today. Other cat species have been brought back from the brink of extinction, it gives us hope that we can bring back the Scottish Wildcat from extinction too. But time is running out.
You can help save Scottish Wildcats, by signing this petition - here!
You can also learn more about Scottish Wildcat Day - here!
A very happy Scottish Wildcat Day to the wonderful Scottish Wildcat!! šŗ
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