Tail of the unexpected: pictures add to mystery of Mull wildcat (Via Paul Cropper)

Tail of the unexpected: pictures add to mystery of Mull wildcat
3 May 2010
The Herald

© 2010, Herald & Times Group

A RARE Scottish wildcat spotted on an Inner Hebridean island could have swum there, according to an expert.
The animal, known as the Highland Tiger, was seen on Mull, which is approximately one mile from the mainland.
There have been unconfirmed sightings on the island before, but experts said photographs taken by holidaymaker Peter Harris gave the clearest evidence yet of the cat’s presence.

There are thought to be only around 400 pure wildcats left in Scotland, though there are also an estimated 3500 hybrid wildcats.

Mr Harris, 34, spotted the carnivore near the Glengorm Estate in the north of the island while he was visiting Mull with his wife last week. He said: “I noticed it crouching in the undergrowth, silhouetted against the dried grass, and I was pretty sure straight away that it was a wildcat because I had seen them at the wildlife park at Kingussie and I saw the thick black stripe on its back and its bushy tail.

“We pulled over and got out of the car and I could see it cleaning itself. There was a ditch between the road and the grass verge where it was sitting so it didn’t seem too alarmed when I went nearer to take photos, and watched me with a rather wary eye.

“We were incredibly lucky because it stayed there for about 10 minutes before turning round and slinking off into the undergrowth, I feel very privileged to have seen it because it is a truly magnificent and iconic Scottish animal.”

Steve Piper, of the Scottish Wildcat Association, said he was surprised to find that one of the animals had made it to the island. There are no bridges linking Mull to the mainland, but the animal could have swum from the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, which is around a mile from Mull at its narrowest point. Mr Piper said: “It could have got there by swimming. They are pretty decent swimmers, though it seems a long way for a cat to get all the way over to Mull.

“Wildcats are not scared of water like a domestic cat. From the photos it’s not necessarily a pure wildcat but it has very nice markings and that rough coat and that wild sort of look to it and the thick tail. It’s very helpful to get photos of sightings because we really don’t know too much about where they live.”

It is unlikely the hybrid stowed away on a ferry, as wildcats are afraid of humans. Another possibility could be that it was found in the wild on the mainland as a kitten, handed to an agency to rehome and subsequently taken to Mull. Hybrid wildcat kittens look like domestic kittens and the fact that they are not only emerges as the animal matures. Mr Piper now hopes to take a team to the island to investigate the sighting.

Wildcats look like large, muscular tabbies, but can be distinguished by their rough coat with distinctive tiger-stripe markings, their thick tail with black rings, and a black stripe along the back extending on to the tail. The endangered predators now live mainly in the north of Scotland. They were once found across the British mainland, but habitat loss and interbreeding with domestic cats have led to numbers falling dramatically, and only a small population still survive.

Scientists have launched a groundbreaking study to trace the movements of wild cats in Cairngorms National Park, using specialist equipment including motion detectors, infra-red technology and camera traps.
They have set up a series of camera traps in the park in the hope that pictures will provide vital information to help them learn more about the cat’s habits, which could ultimately help save it from extinction.

Cameras capture secret life of the 'Highland tiger'

Monday, 19 April 2010

A new research project in the Highlands has provided a rare insight into the secret world of one of Britain's most endangered and elusive species.

Scottish wildcats are notoriously secretive, but conservationists are hoping to gain a more detailed understanding of their behaviour.

They have attached specialist camera equipment, known as photo-traps, to trees in the Cairngorms National Park.

The cameras have already provided images of wildcats and other animals.

Motion detectors and infra-red technology allow the devices to capture images of passing animals over a period of days, weeks or even months.

The project is still in its early stages but the cameras have already provided images of Scottish wildcat - popularly known as the Highland tiger - and other animals, including golden eagles.

'Major threat'

The research is being led by Dr David Hetherington of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

He told BBC Scotland: "Wildcats are very shy, secretive animals. They are active mainly at night and it's really difficult for people to get close enough to watch them properly.

"These camera traps are an excellent way of us getting a much better insight into where wildcats live, when they're active, and what habitat they're using.

"We can also get an idea of where they don't live and, of course, that's also really important information."

Experts believe the Scottish wildcat population has fallen to about 400, and work is under way to prevent the species becoming extinct.

That involves encouraging cat owners in the Highlands to ensure their animals are neutered.

Dr Hetherington explained: "The major threat to wildcats these days is hybridisation, or inter-breeding, with domestic cats.

"Although they are quite different and have a completely different temperament, they are actually quite closely related genetically to domestic cats so they can produce fertile hybrids.

"If that continues we are going to lose our pure Scottish wildcat."

Conservationists believe the work could help prevent another iconic species joining a long list of large predators which have been wiped out in Scotland over the last few centuries.

Douglas Richardson, of the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig near Aviemore, said: "We are dealing with an animal that's the last of its kind in the British Isles.

"We formerly had lynx and other big, dangerous and interesting animals. But this is our last feline predator and I think we are duty bound to protect it.

"There are many representatives from Scotland and the UK who are involved in conservation efforts with tigers in Asia or giant pandas in China.

"If we allow the Scottish wildcat to disappear, then the Indians, the Russians, the Chinese could quite rightly turn round and say 'Why should we bother? You didn't.'"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8628434.stm

Alladale Estate applies for zoo licence

By Caroline McMorran
Published: 17 December, 2009

CONTROVERSIAL plans by Alladale Estate owner Paul Lister to introduce wolves to a wilderness reserve already established on his land, have taken a major step forward.

Alladale Wilderness Reserve manager Hugh Fullerton-Smith this week publicly announced his intention to apply to the local authority for a zoo licence.

European elk and wild boar are already roaming in enclosures on the 23,000 acres estate, located near Ardgay. And, if the zoo licence is granted, then wildcat and wolves - not seen in the wild in Scotland for thousands of years - could be added to their number.

The move is expected to raise enormous concerns locally.

Both Mr Lister and Mr Fullerton-Smith were out of the country and unavailable for comment this week. They are expected to return to Alladale next week.

But Highland Council officials confirmed that they had received a "Notice of Intention" from Alladale Wilder-ness Reserve as required under the Zoo Licencing Act 1981. That Notice of Intention is now also available for members of the public to read.

Golspie based environmental health officer Andy Hirst said: "I think this is a once in a lifetime situation and I certainly have never experienced this type of application before."

Millionaire businessman Paul Lister, son of the co-founder of the MFI furniture chain Noel Lister, bought Alladale Estate, which covers five glens and two river systems, in 2003.

Shortly afterwards he announced plans to create a wilderness reserve.

He has since invested massive sums towards achieving his aim of introducing Scotland's so-called "big five" to the estate - grey wolves, brown bear, lynx, boar and bison.

Two years ago the estate successfully applied for a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence to introduce European elk and wild boar into specially constructed enclosures.

And now Mr Lister and Mr Fullerton Smith are apparently ready to take their plans a step further and introduce wolves and wildcats.

In background papers lodged with the local authority, estate manager Mr Fullerton-Smith states: "The Alladale Wilderness Reserve facility will be unlike any present conventional UK zoo, both in types of enclosures it uses and ways in which only a limited number of resident visitors and environmental education groups will view the animals."

According to the papers, it is intended to introduce three European wolves and eight European wildcats onto the estate along with another six wild boar and two elk.

The animals will be housed in three separate fenced areas each of which will contain animal accommodation, management facilities and service buildings. The highest fence - a two-metre high deer fence - will surround the European elk enclosure. The wolves will be fed on a range of "natural" carcasses and game off-cuts.

Only guests staying at Alladale will be allowed on to the wilderness reserve. The maximum number of visitors on the reserve will be limited to 35, although school parties are expected to increase that number to around 70 on some days.

The papers state: "Visitor access to the wolf enclosure will be from the service road through a locked gate and along a fenced footpath and across a bridge to a roofed viewing area."

Meanwhile Highland Council officials say that strict procedures will be followed in determining the estate's application, including a public consultation period.

Inverness-based senior animal health officer Gillian Bain said: "The zoo licence regulations are fairly proscriptive in the way they work."

And local environmental health officer Chris Ratter said: "The estate has to follow certain procedures and part of the procedure is to put an advert in a local and national newspaper and also put signs up around the area of Alladale to say that the intention is to apply for a zoo licence."

http://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/6970/Alladale_Estate_applies_for_zoo_licence.html

(Submitted by Lindsay Selby)