Alladale reserve owner speaks about his captive wildcat breeding programme
The owner of Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Sutherland has spoken of his hopes of releasing captive bred wildcats into Strathcarron.
Paul Lister talked about his plan following the birth of another three kittens this year as part of the reserve’s captive wildcat breeding programme.
In a recently released video, he explained the programme started 10 years ago and the reserve was working in partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
It is estimated that there are fewer than 400 wildcats left – making it one of the rarest feline species in the world.
Habitat destruction, human persecution and interbreeding with domestic cats has decimated the population.
Mr Lister said the captive breeding programme had been a learning experience with a number of hurdles in the way initially.
“You have got to work out the dynamics – it is getting the right couple,” he said. “They are like human beings, you cannot just put them together and expect them to breed.
“The last four years have been very successful but prior to that we were struggling a bit – but now we are in the swing of things.”
The wildcats are housed in a special enclosure which is home to two pairs. Two kittens were born in June 2018 and another three kittens last year.
The kittens are eventually moved on to a reintroduction centre at the Highland Wildlife Centre in Kincraig where they are prepared for release into the wild.
Mr Lister paid tribute to Alladale ranger Ryan Munro whose job it is to make sure the wildcats are healthy and happy. Mr Munro can also be seen in the video.
“Our keeper Ryan has a great relationship with the cats and has done a good job in keeping them very relaxed,” Mr Lister said.
And he added: “The plan is that in the next three to four years we will actually have wildcats around here in Strathcarron but we have a bit of work to do before then with the community and talking with everyone.”
“We reintroduced red squirrels about eight years ago and that has been a hugely successful story and now they have spread miles and miles down the glen. Hopefully we can follow up with wildcats. That would be fantastic.”