Could wildcats be returned to the South West?
Some remain in Scotland and the species survived on Exmoor until around 100 years ago - despite populations being wiped out in England & Wales in the mid-1800s
They've been extinct in the South West for more than 100 years and now experts are looking at whether we can bring back the European wildcat.
The Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter Uni are asking us what we think of the idea in an 18 month feasibility assessment under the South West Wildcat Project which is due to finish at the end of this year.
The wildcat is Britain's only remaining native cat species - which is similar to a domestic tabby but larger, stockier and with a black-banded bushy tail - and currently restricted to parts of Scotland. The South West was one of the last strongholds for wildcats in England and there is evidence that a small population survived in Exmoor until just over a century ago.
At this stage, no wildcat (Felis silvestris) releases are planned. Wildcats historically lived throughout England and Wales until the mid-1800s. Persecution and habitat fragmentation resulted in them becoming extinct. A critically endangered wildcat population remains in Scotland and is the subject of conservation action.
Cath Jeffs is Devon Wildlife Trust’s South West Wildcat Project lead. Cath said: “Returning the native wildcat to the South West is an exciting prospect but will only be possible with the support of local communities.
"We are hoping that lots of people will take part in the survey to help us understand both whether there would be support for bringing wildcats back, and any concerns and potential impacts that would need to be considered. I am really looking forward to seeing the results.”
The University of Exeter says it 'is undertaking a public opinion survey to better understand perspectives on wildcats, and whether a reintroduction is socially feasible. A first part of this study has already taken place into stakeholder viewpoints, the outcomes of which have informed the design of this new survey'.