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Dietz, M.; Boegelsack, K.; Lang, J.; Simon, O.
Kyrill and the wildcat - results from a telemetry study in the Rothaar Mountains (Kyrill und die Wildkatze - Ergebnisse einer Telemetriestudie im Rothaargebirge)
2015  Conference Proceeding

The present study took place in the Rothaargebirge in North Rhine-Westphalia. There, the Wildcat became extinct around 1900. Credible indications for wildcat abundance in the region have led to the present review. With the help of lurestick method and in the follow a telemetry study performed from 2009 to 2011 abundance and habitat use of the wild cat was investigated. In particular the effect of the opening of spruce forests by wind throws of the last two decades should be examined. The study revealed a vital population of wildcats in the Rothaargebirge. A total of ten individualized animals were detected by caught of traps and genetically verified hair sampling data in the area around Erndtebrck and Ltzel in 2009. Five of these individualized cats were females. Further eight male cats were detected in the extended investigation area in 2010. The eight radio-tracked wildcats (4 _S and 4 _%) show considerable habitat preferences. All of them prefer wind throw areas in an early stage of succession. Four of them also used frequently small river valleys. For three of the eight cats a use of deciduous and mixed forests could be detected. In summary the present study showed that the storm damages caused by and after "Kyrill" increased the habitat capacity for wildcats. The spread of the species was promoted by high level of disturbance like storm damage in formerly closed and dark spruce forests That knowledge should be considered for forestry measures after storm events.

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