Edinburgh Zoo Breed Endangered Wildcat Kittens

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 27, 2020 11:54 pm

A wildcat kitten explores its exhibit at Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: RZSS

Two critically endangered wildcat kittens have been born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo providing hope for the future of their species.

The kittens are one boy and one girl. Keepers say they will be named in the coming weeks.

A wildcat kitten explores its exhibit at Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: RZSS

Alison Maclean, carnivore team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said, “We are thrilled to have welcomed the birth of two wildcat kittens in September, to mum Caol Ila and dad Talisker.

“The youngsters are doing well and we will be asking for the public’s help to name them in the coming weeks,” finished Alison.

A wildcat kitten explores its exhibit at Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: RZSS

Wildcats are one of the most threatened species in Scotland. RZSS is leading a new partnership project called Saving Wildcats. This project is based at their second site, Highland Wildlife Park.

The Saving Wildcats partnership is made up of NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Norden’s Ark and Junta de Andalucía. They will work to breed and release the wildcats.

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This project is being funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union and the generous support of the Garfield Weston Foundation, The National Trust for Scotland, The People’s Trust for Endangered Species and The European Nature Trust.