BNC Scottish Wildcat

This is the only Real wild cat we have in Britain and it\'s ENDANGERED so why haven\'t all the British Zoo\'s got there heads together to try and help the Scottish Wildcat out be help trying to breed them like they do the other Big Cats. This would then help the Scottish Wildcat Association out with there aim to keep the Scottish Wildcat Wild and true

Amen. Would love to see these more widely kept - nice animals and a great education point. I guess the problem is finding animals you're sure are pure. Zootierliste.de lists 11 collections with the species - all in England or Scotland, and mostly small collections - only Port Lympne, Twycross and Edinburgh/Highland of the major zoos. Would be nice to see more in the big zoos.

This is the kind of species I worry for in zoos that are increasingly obsessed with big, themed 'biotope' areas. Everywhere would want an African Savannah or South-east Asian Rainforest. Fewer places a coniferous forest. And the places that do would more than likely do a North American coniferous forest/tundra one (cf. ZOOM/Gelsenkirchen, Hannover). Species like this simply have nowhere to fit.

Does anyone know if this form has ever been kept outside the UK? F. s. silvestris is often found in continental zoos, so I'm not sure there would ever have been any desire to export F. s. grampia, but strange things happen sometimes!

Adrian, great shot, and you're very lucky, I've been 3 times this year and I'm still to see the wild cat, same goes for the beavers!
Still glad to know that there is one in there somewhere.
If you get a shot of the beavers now that will be something!

Chizlet, I've been going to BNC for 25 years on a pretty regular basis, 5-10 times a year. I saw the beavers for the first time 2 years ago, and never since. I wouldn't hold your breath.

Devi said:

Chizlet, I've been going to BNC for 25 years on a pretty regular basis, 5-10 times a year. I saw the beavers for the first time 2 years ago, and never since. I wouldn't hold your breath.

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Well it's nice to know they are actually in there at least!
I almost feel like asking one of the keepers to go in there with a stick and poke them out of their wood pile so I can see them.

SAme here, been many many times, never seen the Wild Cat, never seen the Red Squirrels and never seen the Beavers!!!

I last saw the beavers when they used to be kept outside the Rodent House (the current lemur paddock). Not seen them since they moved.

I have to say though, this place is a little gem. I always enjoy going and for £3 for adults its an absolute bargain.

Indeed. From time to time I travel down and do a day in Birmingham with the SeaLife and Nature Centre - I enjoy them both, but the difference in value for money is incredible!

Yes I agree.