6-12-2014 | BY
For the first time in centuries wild cats born in the wild in the Netherlands. ARK Nature investigates the return of this rare animal. The study this year found at least five different wild cats, with two newly born cats. The return of the wild cat has made impressive speed.
Last week, the researchers received videos of a young wild cat a few months old. Other images were taken in September in Raval Vijlenerbos. These images of the young was indisputable and showed that at least one cat was a female. The three wild cats with transmitters are all males.
The province of Limburg is also funding research of the wild cat in South Limburg. The National Postcode Lottery contributes, as well. This research is conducted in collaboration with Bionet Nature Research , Jasja Dekker Animal Ecology , National Forest Service and Bureau Mulder course .
More information about the study can be found here, along with a page with frequently asked questions about the research.
Raval and collar transmitters
ARK Nature, provides research with funds from the Province of Limburg on the return of the European wild cat in South Limburg. The results of their study will be used to create suitable sites and green gateways for wildcat. The study is carried out by means of camera traps and collar transmitters. This study shows that this year, there were at least two wild cats born Vijlenerbos. In September, a young wildcat was photographed by a man named Raval and in October the young cat was seen to have grown.German wild cats
A large population of feral cats exists in the Eifel and Ardennes. The number of feral cats has grown in recent decades.. Adult wild cats search for a suitable home, where their young can thrive with the mother. Some of these wild cats found a home in South Limburg and settled in the Vijlenerbos and the adjacent forests in Belgium and Germany.From zero to five wild cats
Recently, the wildcat was declared extinct in the Netherlands; however, over the past decade, a few sightings were reported. In 2013, extensive research was done and a wild cat was observed. In 2014, at least five wild cats were observed in South Limburg and three of these animals could be fitted with a transmitter.
Raval's camera and transmitter investigation wildcat Photo: Bionet Nature Research
Propagation
The wild cats' reproduction that occurred has been totally unexpected. The first sign that these feral cats were born in South Limburg occurred on 25 October, when a trail cam captured a cat about eight months old. At this age young wild cats still live with their mother. This means that the animal had to have been born in the Netherlands or at the least, very close to the border.Last week, the researchers received videos of a young wild cat a few months old. Other images were taken in September in Raval Vijlenerbos. These images of the young was indisputable and showed that at least one cat was a female. The three wild cats with transmitters are all males.
Better habitat and connections
This discovery is an additional incentive to further suitable habitats in South Limburg for feral cats. These habitats would consist of forests and rough grassland with a wide variety of forest edges where the cat can hunt for food. Another spearhead of ARK and other conservation organizations, is to improve gateway paths so wild cats can actually reach new habitats without being killed. Other species would benefit, as well.The province of Limburg is also funding research of the wild cat in South Limburg. The National Postcode Lottery contributes, as well. This research is conducted in collaboration with Bionet Nature Research , Jasja Dekker Animal Ecology , National Forest Service and Bureau Mulder course .
More information about the study can be found here, along with a page with frequently asked questions about the research.
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