A project is underway to investigate the possibility of bringing wildcats
back to the South West of England after an absence of more than 100 years.
Devon
Wildlife Trust has announced that it wants to appoint what is believed
to be England’s first ‘Wildcat Project Officer’. The successful
candidate will lead a feasibility study which will judge whether
wildcats could be reintroduced successfully to the region.
European
wildcats look very similar to a large tabby cat, but the animals
are stockier with a fluffier, blunt tail. Distinct banding on the tail
and markings on the body also distinguish the animals from their
domestic cousins.
Wildcats were
once
found throughout the UK but were hunted to extinction in most of
England and Wales
by the 18th century. Today, wildcats are on the verge of extinction in
Scotland and are subject to urgent action to save the species.
The
South West was one of the last
strongholds for wildcats in England and there is evidence that a small
population may have survived in Exmoor until just over a century ago.
Conservationists are now keen to explore the animal’s reintroduction,
stressing that they once
played an important ecological role in our countryside and could do so again.
Peter Burgess is Devon Wildlife Trust’s Director of Nature Recovery. Peter
says:
“With
the appointment of our first ever Wildcat Project Officer we are
at the beginning of a process which will explore the return of wildcats
to the South West of England. There’s a lot for us to do before this
becomes a reality. Much of this will involve working with local
communities to see if reintroduction is feasible. As
yet we have no scheduled date for any animals to be released.
Wildcats are the UK’s rarest mammal and
are on the verge of extinction in Scotland - their last refuge. They are now
subject to urgent species recovery action – we want to investigate the possibility of the South West being part of this.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the World. The
reintroduction of key species, such as wildcats, is part of our wider work to see wildlife and wild places restored.”
Devon Wildlife Trust’s decision to explore wildcat reintroduction follows
a
preliminary ecological feasibility study carried out by Vincent
Wildlife Trust. This
report concluded that there are regions which warrant further
exploration for wildcat reintroduction, including the South West of
England, and especially Devon. Other places highlighted as possible
reintroduction areas included the North and West of Wales.
The role of Devon Wildlife Trust’s Wildcat Project Officer will be to assess
the suitability of different localities for the animal’s return. They will lead
scientific assessments, a social feasibility study, as well as a comprehensive public engagement
programme. At every stage of its work the South West Wildcat Project is following best practice guidelines established by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature on the reintroduction of species.
Further details of this unique job are available on the Devon Wildlife
Trust website www.devonwildlifetrust.org/jobs
European wildcat Photo copyright Elliot Smith (All Rights Reserved)
Devon Wildlife Trust
is the county’s leading environmental charity, with more than 36,000
members. The charity manages 60 nature reserves across Devon, including a
range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and
heaths. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable
donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the
general public to raise more than £5million every year. More at
www.devonwildlifetrust.org
