Researchers are developing strategies to save Scotland’s endangered Highland wildcats by detecting and eliminating DNA inherited from domestic cats.
Scientists have cautioned that the Highland tiger, also known as the wildcat, is in a critical state of endangerment due to frequent breeding with domestic house cats. All individuals now exhibit signs of crossbreeding, and many possess minimal traits of their “wild” ancestry.
Scientists are utilizing modern genomics in an effort to reverse this trend. They aim to develop detailed DNA profiles for individual animals, identifying those with a significant amount of wildcat genes. These animals will be selectively bred with other felines possessing similar genetic traits, resulting in a new population that has not been affected by interbreeding with domestic cats. This population will then be reintroduced to the Scottish countryside.
Dan Lawson, the genomics leader for the project at Bristol University, described the process as “de-introgression,” which is like attempting to unscramble an egg in the scientific world.
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“We possess animals with a combination of two distinct gene sets. Presently, our goal is to isolate these sets and reconstruct Scotland’s indigenous wildcat community.”
“It may be challenging, but the rewards will be significant. Not only for wildcats, but also for other endangered species that are facing genetic dilution from similar animals.”
Moggies in Britain are descended from the African wildcat Felix lybica and are typically smaller and more sociable than Felis silvestris, the European wildcat that the Scottish breed originates from. Domestic cats were introduced to Europe during the expansion of agriculture from the Middle East, and they were already well-established in Britain by the time of the Romans.
Studies have shown that for many years, there has been limited interbreeding between two different species. Wildcats tend to avoid humans, while domestic cats are somewhat tolerant of us and sometimes find us helpful. However, this separation has weakened due to factors such as loss of natural habitat, car accidents, and the increasing population of domestic cats. As a result, there has been a significant decline in the number of wildcats in the 20th century.
According to Jo Howard-McCombe, a conservation geneticist at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in Edinburgh, there were limited hiding spots for the wildcat, leading to interbreeding with feral domestic cats and resulting in hybrid offspring.
“But by the 1960s, interbreeding began to occur more significantly once we had successfully established captive populations of wildcats in Scotland. Fortunately, the animals that had been brought to zoos and sanctuaries were not heavily impacted by hybridization. Conservationists were able to intervene just in time.”
A program called Saving Wildcats utilized the offspring of these creatures to create a restoration plan for wildcats. This summer, 19 animals were released into a designated area of Cairngorms National Park, spanning 600 square kilometers, known as Cairngorms Connect.
Equipped with GPS collars, every creature is monitored to examine its adaptation to living in its natural habitat, as well as its response to the arrival of winter in Scotland. An additional 40 animals will be reintroduced into the wild within the next three years.
According to Helena Parsons, a manager at Saving Wildcats, the wildcats rely on a diet of rabbits, mice, voles, and sometimes birds and hares. While one of our cats has unfortunately passed away from an abdominal infection, the rest are thriving.
Wildcats mate during December and January, and their offspring are typically born during the spring or early summer months. According to Parsons, the cats in our care will not likely give birth next year as they need time to adjust to their new life in the wild. However, it would be a wonderful surprise if a few litters were born. GPS data has indicated that some of the cats have crossed paths in recent months.
According to Parsons, a crucial aspect of the Saving Wildcats program is to prevent feral and domestic cats from entering the release area. They have deployed more than 100 camera traps in the area, and whenever a cat is detected, efforts are made to determine if it is a domestic cat. If it is, the team tries to locate its owner and inquire about its neuter status. If the cat is feral, they aim to locate and spay/neuter it.
The animals involved in the Saving Wildcats initiative were raised at a designated facility located at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie. These animals were sourced from various zoos and wildlife parks throughout Britain, and according to stud book records and genetic testing, have a significant amount of wildcat genes. However, they have all been impacted to a certain extent by crossbreeding with domestic cats.
The de-introgression program aims to raise the levels of wildcat genes through the use of modern genomics. However, according to Professor Mark Beaumont from Bristol University, this project will not be a simple or speedy task. He stated, “The concept is to secure funding for monitoring the progress of the kittens, and this incurs expenses. Sequencing the entire genome of one cat can cost around $200.”
Lawson affirmed this point, stating that it would require 10 to 20 generations of deliberate breeding and genetic testing to restore the full wildcat genome. He shared with the Observer, “This presents many challenges, including financial ones. However, we are seeking funding to begin. It is important to note that the breeding program is our final opportunity to preserve the Scottish wildcat.”
Source: theguardian.com
