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The Scottish Wildcat lives in the Highlands and is one of the rarest animals in the world. Join the wildlife experts who are working to protect it.

The Scottish Wildcat lives in the Highlands and is one of the rarest animals in the world. It looks like a tabby cat but it's bigger, and has distinctive markings on its fur. It's also much better at hunting, with its powerful senses and sharp teeth.

Wildlife officer Emma Rawling is part of a project that aims to protect the Scottish Wildcat from extinction. The main threat to the species currently isn't human, it's the danger of the wildcats breeding with β€œferal” cats that live in the countryside. These could be runaway farm cats, or pets that have been dumped in the wild. A technique called 'Trap Neuter Release' is being used to help prevent this happening.
Join Emma on her evening rounds, looking to see if any feral cats have been trapped during the day. If so, they’ll be taken to the vet to be neutered and health-checked before being returned to the countryside. She also checks a hidden camera in a forest where wildcats are known to visit – but will there be any feline photos on it this time?

The programme is presented by Euan McIlwraith.

Available now

20 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Wed 21 Sep 2016 03:40
  • Wed 15 Mar 2017 03:20