HOPES FOR SAVING SCOTTISH WILDCAT REST ON CAPTIVE BREEDING PLAN

The experts believe that fewer than 100 Scottish wildcats now exist in the wild. About 80 captive wildcats in zoos, wildlife parks and private collections around the UK now hold the key to the successful re-establishment of viable populations.

Genetic testing of all those captive cats was completed in October. Data is now being fed into a new molecular stud book which will determine which captive cats are related and which are best matched for breeding. Mixed with genes from cats already in the wild it will produce a population of wildcats suitable for release into the wild. It is hoped the first trial releases will happen within five years.

The Scottish wildcat is listed as critically endangered. The main threat has been hybridisation. Those in the wild tend to have less gene purity than captive cats not exposed to hybridisation. Captive cats selected for possible release will be transferred to special conservation breeding enclosures. 

There are many animal species which are living in nature that are in danger of extinction. So I think it is important to be alert to animals and seek ways to save their species. In this way we will have a more varied population of animals. 

Vocabulary:

Wildcat

Endangered
Hybridisation

Link of the news: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/26/hopes-for-saving-scottish-wildcat-rest-on-captive-breeding-plan