The Scottish wildcat captive breeding project was set up at Aigas in 2011, after we became more aware of the dramatic decline in their population across Scotland.

We are a partner of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan, led by Scottish Wildcat Action, which aims to halt the decline in 6 years. As yet, no 100% pure wildcat has been found, mainly due to hybridising with domestic and feral cats for many centuries, and this is now their main threat of survival.

The captive population of Scottish wildcats is vital to their survival and it is of the utmost importance that we, along with a number of other breeding projects, work together to improve the genetic purity, increase the captive population and build a pool of wildcats that will be released into the wild once the threats to their survival have been removed.

We currently have one breeding pair at Aigas, with the hope that a second pair will arrive towards the end of 2016 and another in 2017. Our wildcats have successfully bred three kittens over the years and we hope that this success will continue. 

The project costs approximately £30,000 a year due to enclosure maintenance, veterinary bills, food, equipment and bedding.

Help us today by adopting one of our Scottish Wildcats!

For £25 receive an adoption pack and a biannual newsletter.

For £50 receive an adoption pack, a biannual newsletter and a John Lister-Kaye signed book of your choice.

For £150 receive an adoption pack, a biannual newsletter, a John Lister-Kaye signed book of your choice and a wildcat mug designed by our artist in residence Becky Holland.

For £250 receive an adoption pack, a biannual newsletter and a Laurie Campbell, signed limited edition A4 print. There are five for you to choose from.