IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Anonymous, | |
| Felis silvestris | |
| Full Book | |
European wildcats are primarily associated with forest and are found in highest numbers in broad-leaved or mixed forests with low densities of humans. Rodents are the most common prey of European wildcats, and rabbits are also important where they occur, while birds are of secondary importance. The Conservation Status of the wildcat is 'Favourable' in three biogeographical regions, 'Unfavourable-Inadequate' in three and 'Unfavourable-Bad' in one. However, the Bulgarian and Polish NGOs consider the reported assessments of these countries too optimistic (if taken into account in the regional assessments, does not change the conclusion). The main pressures for the species are genetic pollution and competition with feral domestic cats, habitat loss and deterioration, including fragmentation and reduction on connectivity, trapping, poisoning or poaching, and road kills. The species is classified by IUCN in Europe as 'Least Concern'; however, this can be misleading, for although the wildcat is probably the most widespread and numerous felid in Europe, it is seriously threatened in some areas by genetic loss through hybridization with domestic cats. (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/8543/1 consulted on 29 April 2014) |
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