Captive breeding-for-release is an unfortunate essential for the future of the Scottish wildcat. With numbers so low and purity such a key issue, being able to breed pure wildcats in an environment where all births can survive to maturity is an essential. In years to come we and others will be looking to find large wildcat-friendly areas in Scotland from where the population can be rebuilt and releases of captive-bred animals will be the essential first step.

Unfortunately the current program has some problems; prior to 2000 it was carelessly controlled and almost 90% of the population was hybridised. The hard work of some really dedicated volunteers and small wildlife parks has started getting things back in shape but in spite of its importance the program gets no kind of support or outside funding; we want to cange that and help the breeders build a captive breeding-for-release program that leads the world.

Utilising the latest enclosure designs, research and expert consultation from leading scientists and wildcat breeding-for-release programs in mainland Europe the potential is thrilling; large open air enclosures, tree walkways, automated feeding systems that eliminate reliance on humans and encourage natural behaviour, perfectly preparing captives for a future life in the wild and inspiring changes in captive breeding everywhere to keep up with the "wildcat-standard".

The first stage of the campaign has already begun installing aerial tree walkways to wildcat enclosures. These have proved a superb improvement providing artificial tree branches 8 feet in the air which the wildcats use them heavily to sun themselves, eat, sleep, groom and glare down at passing visitors to parks. This improves quality of life for the cats and gives people an incredible close up view of an animal few are lucky enough to glimpse in the wild.

Below you can see a set of walkways at Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie; leading from the top of the enclosure the walkways pass over visitor's heads and into a small raised enclosure where the cats can sleep amongst the trees in privacy.

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