Species Profiles
Scottish Wildcat (Felis sylvestris grampia)
UK History
The Scottish wildcat evolved as sub-species in Britain from a population of European Wildcats that was isolated at the end of the last ice age, 9000 years ago. Scottish wildcats are larger and more heavily camouflaged than their European counterparts but have faced a similar history of decline mainly as a result of hunting, persecution and habitat loss (deforestation). Persecution reached a peak in the Victorian era with the advent of sporting estates and the species was gradually eradicated from England and Wales with just a small population remaining in remote areas of the Scottish Highlands.
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