Rescued Scottish Wildcat Kittens Among Last of Their Kind | National Geographic

The orphaned sister and brother pair will be released to the wild when they’re old enough to survive on their own.
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These two Scottish wildcat kittens are among the last of their kind. A type of European wildcat found only in the Scottish Highlands, around 35 individuals remain. The brother and sister were found alone in the wild, at seven weeks old. Conservation organization Wildcat Haven rescued the orphans. They are now at a rehabilitation center in a large enclosure, with minimal human contact. The two kittens will be released in the West Highlands in the spring, when they are old enough to survive in the wild.
Though they appear similar, wildcats can be as much as twice the size of domestic cats. They have mostly unbroken stripes, and thick, blunt tails with distinct bands and a black tip. Keen nocturnal hunters, they commonly hunt small mammals, like mice, voles, and hares. Hybridization, a result of interbreeding with feral and domestic cats, threatens the Scottish wildcats’ survival. Conservationists are working to protect the wildcats’ habitat, and to neuter domestic cats in targeted areas.
The kittens were photographed for the National Geographic Photo Ark, a project to document all species in the world's zoos and wildlife sanctuaries - including those that are threatened. Photo Ark aims to use the power of photography to inspire people to help save species at risk.
Learn more at natgeophotoark.org.
Rescued Scottish Wildcat Kittens Among Last of Their Kind | National Geographic
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[@mistypuffs]

They’re adorable. I really hope this species can make a come back. We need our indigenous wildlife! ❤️👍🏻🇬🇧

[@purrfectpawsome7810]

They are adorable indeed! They have such beautiful and lively eyes like my Shanoa

[@VicMcFly111]

but they are not a species

[@jayrex690]

@@VicMcFly111 Of course they are, what are you on about?

[@tatianadashkova2143]

Janie v.d. Kasteelen I hope lynx and wolf will also make a comeback in Britain

[@danielward6572]

@@VicMcFly111 Yes they are. They are a unique cat that is specifically adapted to survive in the harsh environments of the Scottish Highlands. There is 8,000 years of separation between them and the European Wildcat. Sadly the biggest threat to them today is from the domesticated cat. But they are beautiful, incredibly wild and are worth saving from extinction. It's our duty to do so.

[@chewsday5760]

Being the photographer must've been a tough job, imagine the urge to play with these kittens 🥺

[@biggus6633]

0:29 hahaha looks so cute with its tongue sticking out! Poor kitties!

[@Corazondelluna]

The mlem

[@Mysterialic]

Must. Protect. At. All. Costs.

[@Petey0707]

Aye, people will die. Violently.

[@Josh_J91]

O. K. A. Y.

[@annpane1227]

They are strikingly beautiful.

[@princesslupi4136]

Photographer hidden from view, but they knew he/she was there. These, like all cats, beautiful! 🐾

[@chubipower]

They have gorgeous eyes! I hope they will grow up strong and survive in the wild

[@AllIsWellaus]

Beautiful. Fascinating that they are wild and from Scotland. It feels like a small miracle that they weren't introduced to New Zealand. (Scottish population down here). It kinda blows my mind away that these cats are actually wild, not the cute fluffy house variety. I hope that they don't disappear or become domesticated. Beautiful.

[@donkey392]

Fun fact these are impossible to tame, even if your side then from a kitten

[@nba2kaii12]

@@donkey392 you cane tame every animal on the planet if you have since birth

[@AzlianaLyana]

Awww...really cute little kittens! Great job for rescuing them. Hope the two will grow strong. Thanks for sharing National Geographic.

[@CoreyMillionaire2029]

What do you think became of their mom?

[@socinvietnam]

They're killlers with ultra super really big cuteness!!!

[@NormaGonzalez-ix1hm]

Criaturas mas bellas!!!!! 🐱🐾🐱🐾❤

[@yoshil1319]

They are gorgeous !

[@seinooo]

their eyes are beautiful

[@Gonzoidzz]

Hope they can bring back the numbers. Would love to see one.

[@soninayak6314]

They are so beautiful and cute

[@daphneyjheanpansacala3327]

They are so adorable!!

[@francinemiranda4504]

Such gorgeous little creatures--sincerely hope conservation efforts bring them back from the brink.

[@curious5887]

Of extinction

[@stileskuchiki7978]

I know cats have a lot of eye colors that look cool but that first eye shot was breathtaking.

Hoping they will make it!

[@grapesurgeon5546]

Through inbreeding

[@horseenthusiast1250]

They’re so cute! I love how one of them kept sticking its tongue out

[@empirestrikesback7732]

It's amazing, the most ruthless predator in nature the Cat is also the cutest, the most beautiful and adorable creature in nature!!!!!!

[@collectorofcats294]

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Indeed!!!

[@kayrosis5523]

If you exclude humans that is

[@empirestrikesback7732]

@@kayrosis5523 Very True. Lol

[@gordontheengineswifedr.nirmal]

Humans r most ruthless but most humans r not that cute, especially females.

[@RFC3514]

#1. Chuck Norris #2. Bears (godless killing machines) #3. Chuck Norris (when sleeping) #4. Cats

[@njdk7796]

2:40 have a galaxy in their eyes ... Now i do love you dude

[@lynnm8081]

A really interesting video which needs to be seen by as many people as possible. Sad there are so many threats to their ongoing survival, as they are adorable. The tail is quite a distinctive feature I think. I really hope they do well when released.

[@kellyabbott6046]

SAVE THE KITTIES! 💜

[@tuantanah9076]

They are so cute!!!

[@mariammansur8443]

Awwww~~ cuteness overload💖💖💖

[@AnjaliRajadhyaksha]

They're sooooo beautiful ! Absolutely adorable.👌👌

[@marymartinez1672]

BEAUTIFUL..ADORABLE..PRECIOUS !

[@Dani-th6cl]

Live long and prosper!

[@charlesbeauclair6488]

how could nature be so beautiful

[@Alex-eb6je]

They're so cute they act just like housecats.

[@Walemer-fo8ue]

SO freaking cute

[@burghandyb375]

I love that they're being released!👍😊

[@Nehaiojvgj]

How can you tumbdown this? Lovely animals

[@dylendog]

I seen one this morning in Northumberland. My greyhound spotted it, thankfully my dog was on the lead I got a good look at it, whiskers seemed very long and tail with its black rings

[@citizenlbt8735]

Sooo cute. Tragic they're probably not long for this world.

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

Those kittens are so cute

[@redelgado99]

Beautiful creations...

[@amyjones7962]

Wow they look almost exactly like American Tabby cats! ♥️♥️♥️

[@missyedaimanaiman4374]

They are really cute❤❤ Great job National Geographic...👍

[@sumuqh]

Aww i love kitties so much ♥️

[@sumuqh]

@MANNY BAEZ PUJOLS hi.. 🙄

[@Josh_J91]

I used to have one of these for 18 years 1996-2014 it would chase me up the stairs and pounce on me hahaha, it was absoulty gorgeous aswell her stripes were amazing

[@sanigene]

These are beautiful cats

[@MuhammadEgypt]

Beautiful breed!

[@alfcab]

Gorgeous kitties

[@harrypaulo3654]

Beatiful cat

[@jimwilliams1536]

I had a cat that looked just like them, when I was a kid. She had small tufts on the tips of her ears and a slightly shorter tail. I originally thought she was a hybrid and had european wild cat genes. Possibly she was part Scottish! She was a very tough cat..

[@roseo9287]

OMG!!! beautiful wildcat!! Looks like my old cat Tigger :)

[@suzannemiller3958]

Well that was VERY informative I just assumed the Scottish Wildcats were all through the highlands. Thankyou so much for this video National Geographic♡♡♡♡

[@brigidtheirish]

They look like my cat, Lynx. Of course, he got his name because he looks so much like a wild cat. Though his stripes are more like spots.

[@Nestss]

They look just like wild bengals 😭😭💕💕

[@seatbelttruck]

Poor babies look terrified while they're being photographed... which is probably a good thing. Wariness is good for wild animals.

[@matahari2667]

They've got a story to tell their little grandkits... "Remember when those giants put us in a small bright room?"

[@raeperonneau4941]

What beauties!

[@AshesAshes44]

Lovely animals! Might we have a few pictures to demonstrate size and distinguish them from regular domesticated tabbies?

[@777violett]

They look like normal kitties, if I found them I would not have a clue that they are wild. I would just take them in and keep them all to myself lol. I'm a crazy cat lady.

[@Fleurig-xr5mm]

Lol try not to pick up every cat on the streets, especially in Europe, my cat walks around outside all day, it would be the death of me if he got catnapped haha

[@777violett]

Haha no worries, I was just kidding. I already have a handful with my 3 cats. 2 adopted brothers and 1 kitten that I saved from getting eaten by dogs.

[@jasskeeper8152]

You can pick me up anytime

[@nicetightsize8jeans]

I know they just look like regular tabbies I love kittens

[@roku_nine]

im sure you will pick up a few scratches as well. they are 'wild'

[@royourboat9833]

Awwww babies!

[@ashishchoudhary1906]

oh my god Mr whiskers got such beautiful eyes 😻😻😻

[@ad1t553]

well, they are such a cute little fellows

[@chasity7090]

Cute little kitties. Looks like a house cat too me.

[@herrvonundzulustig]

Beautiful

[@aymanehab1138]

They're gorgeous. I love there eyes Though

[@vickyfrazier7579]

They are stinkin cute!

[@damedesuka77]

Sooooo beautiful, ohmygod

[@user-uw1wq9rj8g]

Sooo cute...

[@buttdickenz]

they're so cute

[@victoriaeyog]

So cute

[@GrandTickler]

poor little kittens were scared shitless in that photo section

[@jayrex690]

They are so beautiful. We must save this species, reintroduction around Britain would be amazing, if we could reintroduce the Lynx also then even better, but there seems to be a lack of knowledge and worry around the plight of this species, which is sad.

[@Constantine_IA]

They may take our lives but they will never take our KITTENS!

[@jasonr3862]

I'll always be a cat person

[@mochastellar]

Me too

[@HenryKrinkle420]

They are so cute

[@sheslostcontrol24]

Encountering one of these guys is how I die.

[@sherryannsherryann5069]

Awwwwww😍😍😍😍😍😍sweet babies.

[@karinebuinier8351]

The colours are beyond words

[@luckywize5270]

Beautiful

[@civilengineeringconstructi7239]

So cute 😍.. Cats. 😊

[@faizananzar]

Vowwwww....what a lovely baby of couple 😜😜😜

[@mspears_bobobuddytheseniorcat]

They look just like my brown tabby cat!

[@juanalfonso7701]

They look like regular cats

[@BatteredWalrus]

And unfortunately that's also why they're endangered because they can breed with house cats and hybridise, which was what most of those outside of the 35 individuals are now

[@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost]

Naw. Domestic cats have much larger eyes even when they grow into adulthood.

[@RuataLungchuang]

@@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost these cats are much thicker than regular house cats as well.

[@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost]

@@RuataLungchuang yeah definitely more muscular.

[@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost]

@@Smog.hater.420 yeah but without a side by side comparison the op can't really see by how much. So we have to use what they're most likely familiar with. (Larger eyes and less muscle)

[@thanos3016]

They were terrified of the photoshoot. Their body is shivering. So sad 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@johnlemon4647]

thanos wildcats are like that.. They avoid human encounters. And they tend to be anxious of new surroundings

[@TheGuacTaco]

thanos there were 70 left but you just had to snap your fingers.

[@kitdubhran2968]

thanos domestic cats shake when overstimulated. Could be something similar. These wild cats were filmed hidden from humans, so they may have just been overstimulated by all the light and sound and new things going on.

[@yourmajesty3569]

Shaking with intrigue and anticipation!!! Ever heard of "curiosity killed the cat"? It's because they want to get into everything and they are really curious as to what's going on. And fear looks different. Fear is much more rapid breathing and ears flattened and hairs standing up. None of which are in these pictures. Chill out.

[@ralu9457]

bless them

[@that_pac123]

S'cuuuute!

[@Josh-bf6sk]

I will adopt them.

[@michaelsoltesz3779]

Hehe. They keep looking around in the tent. William! I could swear someone is filming us. 😼

[@rifakhaerunnisa5755]

can i adopt those lil cutest kitteeeeen?????

[@chantelwillems6040]

There’s a great documentary on Netflix called The Tigers of Scotland that is very insightful. If you are looking for more answers about this species. They are the last wild cat they have!

[@elenamonteagudo9855]

Lovely !

[@r.c.whitaker296]

Ferociously cute😾

[@veecee3669]

National Geographic isn't there a way of developing a breeding program to help these wonderful cats survive and thrive?

[@eileeneemond2907]

There is one in scotland it's a research and teaching facility where they do captive breeding of the species to try to save it. They also capture neuter and vaccinate the local feral cats these guys have been breeding with to try to maintain the breed purity. The cats they have in captivity are over the threshold of what is considered mostly a scotish wildcat at 75% and above. There is a short doc on netflix called The Tigers of Scotland that goes into greater detail and also talks about the extinction of the Lynx in that region of the world.

[@veecee3669]

Eileen E Emond Thank you for the info, I'm happy to know that they are working to save the breed, and I'll definitely check out the documentary!

[@ComputerMoses]

I have a female brown tabby cat and she's the spitting image of these two wild cat kittens.

[@cheyeopnye4780]

just oneeee more, replay button please stay hold together.. i just kenot 😍

[@jayrel6489]

Omg! 😱 😍 ♥ 🐱🐈

[@sabrabelhaj361]

so cute :)

[@irinavs]

sooo adorable umfmgmgo

[@FoxfireGreen]

Gorgeous animals, it's sad to hear they're so endangered. I wish people would take responsibility and neuter their pets, it's the least they can do for animals they claim to care for and also the enviroment.

[@dreblackberry]

And the question is how to keep them from mating with the other feral cat species

[@blackout07blue]

Not sure that’s common. Not a lot of cross breeding in the wild.

[@theman9048]

@@blackout07blue it is very common that while they are threaten.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

Yes, I understand that this is a problem; much as dog/coyote hybrids are a problem in North America.

[@farmwife7944]

Bruce Alan Wilson actually dog coyote matings rarely occur up here in the north country as coyote packs kill domestic dogs. Coydogs are rare and what most folks actually see up here are large coyotes. The debate goes on but us locals also know we have seen mountain lions as well despite experts claiming they are simply bobcats, which are fairly common up here, sort uv like telling us we cannot tell a kitten from a lion. We stay pretty quiet about it all, don't need more flat landers stomping about.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

@@farmwife7944 Most Eastern Coyotes have some dog genes.

[@sudipiwahang2977]

Thumbsssss uppppp cute kitten 🐱🐱🐱🐱😽😽😽😽😼😼😸😸😸

[@hamzasyed]

With so few remaining, is it really wise to release them into the wild? Are there any conservation efforts ongoing with captive populations?