MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Emma Roddick, has welcomed the recent work being done by the Highland Wildlife Park to support the conservation and repopulation efforts of Scottish Wildcats.

The MSP visited the Highland Wildlife Park to hear about the efforts to help repopulate the Scottish Highlands with wildcats through an ethical and focused programme of breeding for release and CCTV monitoring.

This project is in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), and European partners.

After the visit, Roddick – a keen animal lover – commented on the success of the programme and the positive impact of the repopulation of Wildcats throughout the Highlands:

“It was an absolute pleasure to visit the Highland Wildlife Park and see first-hand the incredible work of the Saving Wildcats team. Their dedication to ensuring the survival of this iconic species is truly inspiring, and it gives me a sense of hope for the future of the Scottish wildcat.

“The success of their breeding-for-release program, and the sight of footage of the first wild-born wildcat kittens, proves that this vital work is really making a difference already. It’s an essential part of protecting our natural heritage here in the Highlands, and I am so grateful to all those involved for their tireless efforts so far.

“I recommend a visit to anyone who wants to learn more about this work and the wildcat – although my own cat was a bit miffed when I got home smelling of other animals.”