New report finds return of wildcats to South West England is possible

A brand new report printed on 18 November reveals that the South West of England may assist a reintroduction of European wildcats after greater than a 100-year absence from the realm, marking a significant subsequent step in serving to to safe the way forward for the UK’s most critically endangered mammal.

The examine finds {that a} sustainable inhabitants of wildcats may flourish within the South West and that 80% of individuals surveyed within the area have been optimistic about their reintroduction.

The great two-year investigation, undertaken by the South West Wildcat Venture – a partnership of organisations led by Devon Wildlife Belief which incorporates Forestry England and the Derek Gow Consultancy – concentrated its evaluation on 4 most important features of wildcat reintroduction: 1) impacts on folks and communities; 2) impacts on different wildlife; 3) impacts on farming livestock and pets; and 4) the long-term sustainability of a wildcat inhabitants after reintroduction.

European wildcats – traditionally often known as ‘woodcats’ – have been as soon as widespread within the South West, together with many different elements of England, Scotland and Wales. Nevertheless, centuries of persecution, plus the loss and fragmentation of their favoured woodland and tough grassland habitats noticed them disappear throughout a lot of their vary. The South West’s final wildcats are thought to have survived till the mid-nineteenth century.

Cath Jeffs, South West Wildcat Venture lead at  Devon Wildlife Belief, says:

“It’s thrilling that this report suggests wildcats might be a part of the area’s nature as soon as once more. The return of this critically endangered species can be one other step within the restoration of our native wildlife and can assist re-balance native ecosystems.

“Wildcats have been as soon as a widespread a part of our countryside and right this moment they continue to be an essential a part of woodlands all through continental Europe together with Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

“A whole lot of work stays to be carried out earlier than the primary wildcats might be launched within the South West. Sincere and open dialogue with stakeholders might be key to creating positive the species and native communities may thrive alongside each other sooner or later.”

Immediately the UK’s solely remaining wildcats stay within the Highlands of Scotland. Regardless of being given protected standing in 1988 wildcats at the moment are classed as ‘critically endangered’ and liable to extinction with as few as 115 people remaining within the wild. The Saving Wildcats venture was established in 2020 to strengthen the animal’s numbers in Scotland.

In response to the animal’s precarious scenario, earlier preliminary analysis into restoring wildcats past their Scottish base by the Vincent Wildlife Belief (VWT) concluded that the South West might present the very best mixture of circumstances wanted to re-establish the native animal in England.

The South West Wildcat Venture was due to this fact established in 2023 to research the feasibility of a reintroduction to the area. Its report, printed right this moment, concludes:

• The South West incorporates sufficient woodland cowl linked by different appropriate habitat to assist a sustainable wildcat inhabitants. It highlights a well-connected panorama of habitat throughout mid Devon as doubtlessly essentially the most appropriate for reintroductions to happen.
• A major majority of individuals within the South West expressed optimistic views in the direction of wildcat reintroduction to their area. Two separate surveys have been performed by impartial researchers on the College of Exeter. In a single, 71% of 1,000 folks (consultant of the age and gender of the area’s inhabitants) favored the concept of wildcat return. Within the different, 83% of 1,425 who responded to a web-based questionnaire expressed positivity in the direction of wildcat reintroduction.
• Wildcats pose no important threat to present endangered wildlife populations resembling bats and dormice. Wildcat diets consider widespread generally discovered species, with 75% of their prey consisting of small mammals together with voles, rats, wooden mice and rabbits. Their presence would assist ‘steadiness’ present ecosystems by returning a lacking predator which co-evolved alongside native wildlife.
• Wildcats pose no risk to folks, home pets or farming livestock resembling lambs. Business and home poultry may be shielded from wildcats with the identical precautions deployed for present predators resembling foxes.

The report additionally identifies two areas which a future reintroduction venture ought to tackle to make sure success:

1. Hybridisation (interbreeding) between wildcats and feral/home cats has change into a current challenge for the present wildcat populations in Scotland, threatening the genetic safety of the species. The report concludes that, to succeed, a reintroduction venture within the South West should tackle this by working with native communities and cat welfare organisations to assist a neutering programme for feral/home cats in areas the place wildcats might be current.
2. A future reintroduction venture should additionally prioritise engagement with native communities and stakeholders. It ought to set up open and ongoing communication with those that have considerations about wildcats. It proposes a monitoring and administration programme which is able to function after reintroduction, addressing points if and the place they come up.

Whereas there are not any rapid plans to launch wildcats, Devon Wildlife Belief and its companions are dedicated to creating plans for reintroduction. This contains securing funding to make sure the very best likelihood of success.

The South West Wildcat’s full report is out there to learn on the Devon Wildlife Belief web site, together with a abstract report and FAQs about wildcats  www.devonwildlifetrust.org/south-west-wildcat-project

Devon Wildlife Belief’s Cath Jeffs might be giving an on-line speak ‘Wildcats: may the UK’s rarest mammal make a return to Devon?’ at 6pm on Thursday 4^th December. To register without cost go to www.devonwildlifetrust.org/occasions