Have you seen a wildcat?

Q. How do I identify a wildcat?

Wildcat identification can be complicated because wildcats have a significant history of hybridisation (interbreeding) with domestic cats. There are several ways to identify a potential wildcat, that are dependent on the situation and information available. These are outlined on NatureScot's website.

One way to judge whether an individual is a potential wildcat in the field is to visually assess its coat colour and markings (the pelage). Although wildcats and domestic cats share some similarities, there are key traits that experts look for to identify a potential wildcat. For example, typical features of a wildcat include a blunt bushy tail with a black tip, distinct black rings on the tail which are not joined together, stripy grey and brown markings, and no white feet.

This official method used by experts is known as 'pelage scoring'. Seven features are scored out of three, which helps the identifier to tell the difference between a wildcat, a tabby domestic cat, and a hybrid of the two.

The pelage scoring methodology was developed by Dr Andrew Kitchener, after he analysed over 100 wildcat skins that are owned by National Museums Scotland. Pelage scoring is a useful tool for identifying cats in the field, or from photographs, particularly camera trap images.

Any visual assessment would need to be followed up with genetic testing.
Q. I think I have seen a wildcat in the Badenoch and Strathspey area. What should I do?

If you think you have spotted a potential wildcat or wildcat-hybrid based on the pelage scoring information above, please enter your sighting as a ‘casual record’ to the national database, iRecord. Please include a detailed description of your sighting alongside any photos.

The field team have access to this information and may be able to classify your image. By recording your sighting, you'll be directly contributing to wildcat conservation across Scotland.
Q. I think I have seen a wildcat outside the Badenoch and Strathspey area. What should I do?

Saving Wildcats is focused solely on the Cairngorms National Park.

Unfortunately, after over a decade of national research, wildcats were declared functionally extinct in Scotland. Hundreds of samples from wild-living cats sadly revealed extensive hybridisation (interbreeding with domestic cats). Only a handful came close to the minimum genetic threshold. Even those that looked convincing returned low genetic scores.

As a result, the IUCN determined that the only option to save this species was through conservation breeding and release whilst mitigating the threats they face, which is why this partnership project was established in the Cairngorms National Park. Any wild-living cats outside this project area are likely to be feral domestic cats or wildcat hybrids.

Nonetheless, if you have seen a potential wildcat outside of this area, it would be really helpful if you could still submit your sighting to iRecord, as above.

If you have further questions about your sighting, please contact NatureScot.
Q. The wildcat that I have seen is dead or has been involved in a road traffic accident. What should I do?

If you think you have seen an injured wildcat, please call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

If you suspect a wildlife crime has been committed, please call Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in case of emergency. Ask to speak to a Wildlife Crime Officer if one is available. Further information can be found online.

If this cat was found within the Badenoch and Strathspey area, please call us on (+44)7443 069595 or 01540 651994 as our project is focused in this area.

Please do not contact us unless the cat is within the project area.
Q. How will Saving Wildcats use the information obtained from sightings of potential wildcats?

Your sightings will help us map the distribution of both potential wildcats and wildcat-hybrids throughout Scotland and may help us to assess additional potential release sites in the future.
Q. Will you conduct a genetic test on my cat or the cat I have sighted?

Genetic testing for wildcat DNA is a very expensive process, and it requires the collection of a blood, saliva or hair sample which should not be carried out unnecessarily.

In specific instances that align with our research, Saving Wildcats may offer to test potential wildcats that could contribute directly towards wildcat conservation in Scotland.