Scottish wildcats are heavily endangered – it’s estimated that only 35 of them remain.
These highly intelligent, beautiful hunters dwell in the Scottish Highlands and bear a resemblance to domestic cats, but can grow to be double the average size of one. Unlike house cats, they’re also not afraid of water. They can be identified by their distinctive markings.
This video offers a rare glimpse of Scottish wildcat kittens. At just seven weeks old, this brother and sister pair were discovered alone in the wild. The orphans were rescued by a conservation organization called Wildcat Haven, which placed them in a large enclosure, where they have minimal interaction with humans. As the kittens grow, their markings will become more distinct. When they are old enough to survive on their own, they’ll be released.
One of the threats to the survival of the species is the interbreeding of Scottish wildcats with domestic and feral cats. To counter this problem, conservationists are working diligently to protect their habitat and to neuter domestic cats in target areas.
Projects such as the National Geographic Photo Ark, which these kittens were filmed and photographed for, aim to raise awareness of endangered species and inspire people to help save them.
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Technically, wouldn’t Scottish Wildcat be a breed? If they are mating with domestic cats, they are all the same “species.” Different species do not interbreed. At any rate, I believe all living beings should be treated with compassion. Humans should be stewards of our planet-not tyrannical masters over it.
Some species can interbreed, lions can breed with tigers, horses can breed with donkry’s to produce a mule, must be more instances of this.
i hope they grow more scottish cats,need to be save and care for them….
To one of our trustees {here at rainbowbird&animalresue}…. whose name I cannot print, but is also one of the conservation team for the protection of these big cats…Well done to him and keep up the good work Xx
These are 2 of the mos gorgeous kitties I have ever seen…..I think they sense there is a human nearby, the way they are looking around…..I know they are afraid of humans, but I would love to hold them & love on them……I wonder if there aren’t very many because of other animals killing them or humans killing or trapping them…..I pray they are able to build up their population.
Thank you for helping these wildcats.
Please save these wild cat’s!! Don’t allow humans destroy them by breeding them to house cat’s or kill them off in the wild.
Protect these beautiful wildcats !
They are beautiful kittens. Humans sadly have put them in peril as they do so many others. People need to spay/neuter their cats and it is good those in charge are striving to make sure that happens.
Lutetia, you only show your ignorance with that comment.
I will make my back yard a sanctuary to save them . Please if there us any way they can be saved we need to do it
Why is it they want to kill so many to wipe out a wildlife. How can they really sleep with themselves doing such a thing
Everything that can be done to save these rare cats.
Vergogna
Vergogna
THOSE ARE NOT WILDCATS THEY’RE DOMESTIC CATS YOU LIARS
You obviously know nothing about the taxonomy of felids.
LOL really now. Guess National Geographic got it wrong.
Check this out: http://www.scottishwildcataction.org/about-wildcats/how-to-identify-a-scottish-wildcat/
Thoses ARE WILDCATS!!!! Look them up.
I saw a film on those wildcats they are so cool. PLEASE SAVE THESE WONDERFUL WILD KITTENS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Before you call anyone a liar, you should be informed, otherwise you sound like an idiot.
Scottish wildcats do exist. They are also one of the most critically endangered wild mammal native to the UK.
We lose 150-200 species of plant, insect,bird and mammal every day.
Thank you. Let’s hope they continue forever.
BEAUTIFULLY photographed and documented! I trust these GORGEOUS kitty cats will be GPS’ed and monitored! May they live ALL their TEN lives to propagate the species! With God’s grace…LONG LIVE THE SCO’ISH HIGHLAND WILDCATS!!!
Thank you for helping these wildcat kittens.
Thanku for rescuing these kittens.
Beautiful Cats! Precious in every way. Thank you for the work you do.
We should go to any length to protect and save these animals!
Honourable work, thank you for doing this!
I hope these two beautiful animals survive and multiply!!! We must protect them at all costs!!!
What is wrong with the human race–Have to kill every thing that walks-flies-swims or crawls
Agree it is disgusting.