Next time you’re ambling through the countryside in Devon and Cornwall, you might come across a very rare sight indeed. Wildcats, which were nearly hunted to extinction in the UK by humans in the sixteenth century, are set to be reintroduced to the area.
Wildcats were originally hunted for their fur, as well as because of their tendency to attack small animals like rabbits and chickens. They’re now one of the UK’s rarest mammals, with 200 currently left in the wild – most of which are in remote parts of northern Scotland.
The purpose of the rewilding project is to restore greater levels of biodiversity, as well as help cull rampant rabbit and mice populations. Between 40 and 60 wildcats are expected to be released at secret locations throughout Devon and Cornwall, with the Devon Wildlife Trust saying they’ll be focused on areas of coastal scrubland and dense forest.
Wildcats are pretty different to your usual domestic pussycat. Not only are they ‘wild’ (duh), they can also grow to be about twice the size of a typical household cat. The Devon Wildlife Trust says the wildcats won’t pose a threat to people or pets, as they usually stay far from human habitation.
Which all sounds quite promising, doesn’t it? And wildcats aren’t the only species being reintroduced to the UK. Last year bison were reintroduced into Kent, while London could be soon be the focus of a rewilding campaign for animals like kingfishers, butterflies and tawny owls.
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