Wildcats released in Cairngorms

A total of 22 captive-bred Wildcats have been released at a series of undisclosed locations in the Cairngorms during the past fortnight.

It is the first of several trial releases, organised by the Saving Wildcats project, in an attempt to rejuvenate the Scottish population of the feline. Some 60 individuals will be released over the next three years.

One of the captive-bred Wildcats involved in the release programme Saving Wildcats / RZSS).

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which is leading the Saving Wildcats partnership, will monitor the released cats using GPS-radio collars. The project was approved under licence by NatureScot and is the first-ever conservation translocation of Wildcats in Britain.

Previous research concluded the species was "functionally extinct" in the wild, partly due to breeding with feral cats.

Saving Wildcats' David Field said: "The time is now to give the 'Highland Tiger' the best chance of survival and I am thankful for the work of our team members, partners and supporters in making this happen.

"I am also particularly grateful for the support of our local community in the Cairngorms as, without their engagement, we would not have reached this exciting milestone."