CURRENT THREATS TO THE EUROPEAN WILDCAT, FELIS-SILVESTRIS, IN SCOTLAND

The European wildcat, Felis silvestris, faces a number of threats to i ts population in Scotland and continental Europe. Population minimums probably occurred in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. Seve ral populations have recovered since, due to some restoration of prefe rred habitat and a reduction in persecution. Our study of European wil dcats in Scotland found that direct killing because of alleged attacks on gamebirds and livestock still occurred. Accidental killing by dogs , snares or poison baits is probably still common. Viral diseases, suc h as feline leukaemia have recently been identified. Low levels of die ldrin were detected in two wildcats, but few other toxic agrochemicals were found. A major threat to European wildcats is the loss of specia tion due to hybridization with domestic cats. Many introgressive hybri ds are now reported. These can be readily detected by skull measuremen ts and coat markings. Major reintroduction programs are probably not n ecessary to ''save'' the wildcat, but local education of hunters, redu ctions in feral domestic cats and instigation of wildlife management p rocedures would greatly enhance the outlook for the species.