The wildcat is a carnivore mammal feeding on hares and small rodents, birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Roosting birds including the pheasant and partridge, but also the western capercaillie are exposed preys.
THREATS
The most important threats to wildcat population in our country are the following:
• The presence of wandering domestic cats in the wildcat’s habitat. Wandering cats transmit diseases and parasites, creating a high risk of hybridization;
• Habitat fragmentation because of road infrastructures and the risk of wildlife – vehicle collision;
• Conflict with people because wildcats may hunt domestic birds in the household;
• Poaching and hunting.
WHAT WE DO
• Raise people’s awareness on the necessity of wildcat conservation
• Conduct field research and inventorize the species in protected areas;
• We gather and analyze national data regarding the conservation status of the species, through an online platform, a ‘citizen science’ strategy where everyone can contribute to gain better knowledge and monitor the conservation status of the wildcat;
• We conduct field research to gather data regarding the ecology and ethology of the species.