HOW TO DEFINE A SCOTTISH WILDCAT !!!!!!
HI All.
This is a long but hopefully informative post which will provide information about the identification of Scottish wildcats.
As we all know, wildcats can breed with domestic cats producing hybrids. This can make identification challenging. Fortunately, scientific research was conducted to identify the key diagnostic coat markings (pelage) that help to differentiate wildcats from domestic cats and hybrids. This work was published in the following paper and has been used ever since by every group who has worked on wildcats.
There is complete consensus amongst all parties on its utility to identify wildcats. After analysing dozens of museum specimens, 7 diagnostic coat markings were identified. Each diagnostic marking is given a score out of 3. A score of 1 means domestic, 2 means hybrid and 3 means wildcat. Therefore, the maximum score a cat can achieve is 21 and would be considered a pure wildcat.
This in essence is the Scottish wildcat pelage scoring system and the most established and arguably only way to assess the purity of any given cat.
Look at the schematic diagram above. The traits are clearly shown and the scoring system is simply laid out. The significant benefit is that this system can be applied to any cat without the need to sedate it (which carries inherent risks which are arguably too large to unnecessarily take with the rarest cat in the world), so it is a non-invasive assessment that can be carried out on both wild and captive cats.
It is not always possible to get clear views of all traits and there is also debate about what threshold constitutes a wildcat. A number of studies that have informed govt policy and population estimates have used a threshold of 14 out of 21. A pelage score of 14 out of 21 would imply that two thirds of an individual’s genome is wildcat, so the majority of its genetic make-up is wildcat.
The one such study is here:
The studies are regularly referenced by Nature Scot. Indeed, the government have published literature to provide to gamekeepers which refers to the relaxed definition being applied in field conditions The ‘relaxed definition’ is aligned with the precautionary principle that underpins environmental law. Basically, it means it’s a wildcat until proven otherwise. This makes very practical sense because it could for example prevent a wildcat being neutered or even euthanised as part of a cat culling programme. We obviously hugely oppose any culling programmes but government wildcat projects and their partners, RZSS (the people who run Edinburgh zoo, Highland Wildlife park and the current wildcat breeding programme), have previously developed protocols for shooting cats in traps with shotguns. It sounds too horrific to be true, but here is the link.
https://theecologist.org/2016/apr/12/scotlands-secret-cat-slaughter-revealed-foi-documents
The strict definition is 19 out of 21. And this is where it gets complicated and confusing. We have been trying for years to get the government to come up with a clear definition of what constitutes a wildcat. We have had meetings with senior members of Nature Scot and policy advisors to Ministers. We were told in writing that the threshold is 75%. That would equate to 15.75 so rounding up would be 16 on the pelage scoring scale. However, we have also seen government publications which say 18 is the threshold , but then we are aware of cats in the government breeding programme that score 17 on the pelage scoring system. If you look on the Nature Scot website it provides no definition at all. There are range of links to click on and follow but it’s just not clear on the government’s own site.
https://www.nature.scot/plants-animals-and-fungi/mammals/land-mammals/wildcats
It also states a population of between 115 to 314 individuals. That really is quite a big range and suggests that in reality, the Scottish government has no clue about how many wildcats are left and are not exactly forthcoming on the definition of a wildcat.
The vagueness of definition and the remarkably large range in population estimates makes it very difficult for people and groups working on wildcats to understand what the government’s position is on both definition and status. What is clear is that the position changes and is often contradictory. We have seen examples of cats being identified as wildcats and then being downgraded as hybrids. Indeed, you all saw this at the Public Inquiry. Previously, the Clashindarroch was described as wildcat wonderland, then later, government publications referred to a population of hybrids. Also, a population of 300 or even 100, certainly doesn’t equate to being functionally extinct, yet the government has declared the wildcat to be functionally extinct in the wild.
Anyway, back to the definitions. Through FOI’s we know that the government is planning to release cats that are bred from parents scoring 17 out of 21. The schematic refers to 17 out of 21 and so in the absence of any further guidance that seems to be the cut off currently being used. But this contradicts the 75% threshold equating to 16, that we were provided with from government policy advisors. It also seems that the relaxed definition (score of 14) is still used, particularly in situations where traits cannot be easily seen.
In the last few weeks we have written to Nature Scot to give us the definition they are using to classify a wildcat. One would think such information would be readily provided. After a period of nearly a month, we still haven’t received a reply……..
Anyway, remember that pelage scoring can be applied to any potential wildcat. However, it is absolutely vital that the correct traits are assessed. If they are not, then any score cannot be relied up on and can carry no weight.
There is a lot to take in here and we will let you digest it. Read the links and the papers, make yourself familiar with the 7 diagnostic traits. Have a go at scoring some cats from images. Education is a big part of our project and we want you all to be wildcat experts.
We will follow up shortly with the implications all this has on our project and we will also cover the issue of genetic testing. Our position is clear, that based on the genetic data we have seen, there is currently no reliable genetic test and pelage scoring remains the gold standard for wildcat identification. But more on all this soon.
Keep watching and keep in touch, there is so much going on and so many updates to come.
To find out more, you can visit our website at:
www.wildcathaven.com
Very best wishes as always
The Wildcat Haven Team