Scottish wildcat 'super predators' seen roaming forest in ultra-rare footage
04.10.2023 - 14:57
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A family of extremely rare "super-predators" have been filmed roaming the Scottish wilderness in new footage.
Grassroots conservation project Wildcat Haven has shared a clip that it claims shows the youngest family of Scottish wildcats — known as the Highland Tiger — ever captured on film.
As reported to the Daily Express, the video was taken by hidden cameras that were set up within Aberdeenshire forests. It shows the "unbelievable" moment of a family of wildcats enjoying a meal.
Wildcat Haven has not shared the specific area where the footage was captured in an effort to protect the animals' safety.
The ancient Scottish coastal town near a scenic bay with stunning autumn walks
It is believed that there are as little as 35 Scottish wildcats currently in the wild. The species is currently listed as Critically Endangered in the United Kingdom, and it is thought to be functionally extinct in the wild.
However, according to Wildcat Haven, it has found over 30 wildcats in the Aberdeenshire area alone.
Conservationist and founder of the organisation Dr. Paul O’Donoghue commented: "Finding a thriving family of wildcats in Aberdeenshire is an incredible moment for the future of these beautiful animals.
"It underscores the importance of our mission to conserve the Scottish wildcat in the wild where it belongs."
He continued: "Far from being functionally extinct, this represents a significant and connected population that is clearly, successfully breeding in the wild. All efforts should be focussed on these priceless free-living wildcats."
One of the cameras even captured adorable footage of a young kitten walking right up to the lens.
According to Dr O’Donoghue, the wildcats are most likely between seven and eight weeks old. At this age,