![\"Pic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/skynews-wildcat-scotland_7057264.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe wildcat could be making a comeback in the south-west of England, following a two-year study on the region.<\/p>\n
The two-year study by the South West Wildcat Project found mid-Devon has enough woodland connected by other habitats suitable to support a population of wildcats.<\/p>\n
A reintroduction of Britain’s only remaining native cat species would likely see at least 50 wildcats released over a period of time.<\/p>\n
The project stated that the region contained sufficient prey and habitat, such as hedgerows, rough grasslands and arable land, as well as a low density of towns and major roads.<\/p>\n
Further surveys by the University of Exeter also found significant support for reintroduction, with 71 and 83 per cent of respondents in favour.<\/p>\n
Wildcats were present in Exmoor as late as the 1920s, but disappeared due to persecution, hunting and loss of their woodland habitat.<\/p>\n
As few as 115 of the critically endangered species remain in the wild in the Highlands.<\/p>\n
“It’s exciting that this report suggests wildcats could be part of the region’s nature once again,” said project lead Cath Jeffs from the Devon Wildlife Trust.<\/p>\n
“The return of this critically endangered species would be another step in the restoration of our native wildlife and will help re-balance local ecosystems.”<\/p>\n
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Image:
\n Pic Saving Wildcats\/PA<\/p>\n
The report found they posed no significant risks to existing endangered wildlife populations like bats and hazel dormice, and no threat to people, pets or lambs.<\/p>\n
It said poultry could be protected in the same way as from foxes.<\/p>\n
Read more from Sky News: It also advised that any reintroduction project must work with local communities and cat welfare organisations to support a neutering programme in areas where they will be present due to risks of interbreeding with domestic or feral cats, which threaten the species’ genetic security.<\/p>\n
Two more lynx spotted on the loose in the Scottish Highlands<\/a>
Wildcats could roam free in England<\/a><\/p>\n