Keepers at an important project looking to rewild and repopulate the Scottish Wildcat population in Scotland have released images of one of two new litters of wildcat kittens, which could be among the first of their species to be released into the wild in Britain.
The two litters of five adorable kittens have been born to Tulla and Margaret. This brings the total number born in the European partnership project’s first-ever breeding season up to 18 so far.
Kept in a quiet area away from visitors at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore, the team explained that litters of five are incredibly rare in the captive breeding population. They added that to have two in one breeding season is "incredibly exciting".
Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLIFE) is working with national and international experts to restore Scotland’s critically endangered wildcat population by breeding and releasing them into carefully selected locations in the Cairngorms National Park. The project team remain hopeful for more births over the coming weeks after several pairs of cats were paired up.
The kittens will be sexed, microchipped, vaccinated and health checked at around eight to ten weeks old.
Previously, eight other kittens have been born at the centre.
Three of the kittens have been born to mum Droma, while another three were born to mum Caol Ila, who came to the Saving Wildcats centre from Edinburgh Zoo.
Two more were born to Torr, who was previously living at Merklands Wood.
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