AssetID: 55123367
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Critically endangered Scottish wildcat kittens caught on camera for the first time
Caption: For the first time, four Scottish wildcat kittens have been captured on camera. Born at the Saving Wildcats conservation breeding for release centre, located within the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) at the Highland Wildlife Park, these critically endangered kittens represent a major breakthrough in efforts to save one of Scotland's rarest species. For the first time, cameras installed inside the centre have captured intimate footage of female wildcats caring for their young in secluded den boxes. The groundbreaking video gives a rare and valuable glimpse into how wildcat mothers nurture their kittens during their early, vulnerable weeks of life. Estelle Morgan, Saving Wildcats animal team leader, explained the importance of the footage: "With the population of wildcats in Scotland critically endangered, each birth has the potential to make a significant impact on restoring their numbers in the wild, and should be celebrated. It's a major advancement that, for the first time, we can capture previously unseen behaviour on camera, giving us greater insight into how mothers interact with their young during these first important weeks." The kittens, born to mothers Morag (aged 8) and Margaret (aged 7), are currently being raised in a special off-show area of the park near Kincraig. The centre is closed to the public to give the young wildcats the best chance of survival, ensuring they grow accustomed to the wild and not human interaction. Wildcat kittens typically remain with their mothers for around six months, learning crucial survival and social skills before they venture out into the wild to live independently. These four new arrivals may be eligible for release into carefully selected sites across Scotland in 2026 as part of the Saving Wildcats partnership project aimed at repopulating the species. With the Scottish wildcat population in a critical state, each new birth is a beacon of hope, contributing to the long-term efforts to save this iconic native species from extinction.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story
PersonInImage: The kittens in their nestbox