BBC EXCLUSIVE- WORLD FIRST HUNTING BEHAVIOUR
Hi All
Apologies for the lack of updates since Easter but as usual we have been flat out busy. Most exciting, we have found three new wildcats, again in Aberdeenshire. Since we have stopped the government from logging the Clashindarroch in the breeding season, we are finding more and more wildcats in the surrounding areas. It is clear that the Clashindarroch is acting as a natural breeding source population and that animals are radiating from it.
We have an amazing network of local volunteers and contacts all over Aberdeenshire and we are so excited to show you this new footage. It's a world first showing successful hunting at night. This is filmed by a 'spy cam' so is in infra red. It is taken at night in the middle of a Sitka spruce forest and it would have been absolutely pitch black. Look at the way the Wildcat tracks and 'locks onto' it's prey, before leaping, catching and bounding off, all in one movement. The senses and agility of these animals are amazing.
Every piece of footage is exciting, but to film hunting behaviour is extra special. Huge thanks to Mark F in Aberdeenshire for setting the camera that captured this footage. Great work. Mark has already set more cameras to see if we can get more footage. We of course won't give out Mark's full name to protect the location of the Wildcat. Also huge thanks to Rachel N who captured the still used in the BBC piece. Brilliant efforts.
We have done an exclusive interview with the BBC and you can see the footage and the video at this link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz5d85g462go.amp
This all yet more evidence that wild populations of the Scottish wildcat still exist and are indeed expanding because of our work, which is ultimately enabled by all of you. We will continue to be the only organisation totally dedicated to saving the magnificent Scottish wildcat, in the wild where it belongs.
If you want to find out more and support our work the please visit our website at:
Many more updates to follow so keep watching.
Thanks as always.
Emily and The Wildcat Haven Team