New documentary chronicles the revival of wildcats in the Cairngorms National Park
Posted 7 Jan 2025
A new two-part documentary, Wildcats: Cait ann an Cunnart, is set to be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Wednesday 8 January, chronicling the progress of Saving Wildcats - a groundbreaking conservation partnership project aiming to prevent the extinction of wildcats in Scotland by breeding and releasing them into the wild.
The two-part series follows the journey of the team behind Saving Wildcats, guiding viewers through their efforts to release captive bred wildcats from a specialised breeding for release centre, located at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park in the Cairngorms National Park. As well as being selected and encouraged to breed, everything possible is done to prepare the animals for life in the wild, before they are released in locations across the Cairngorms Connect Partnership Area.
Throughout the course of the docu-series, which covers the first year of releases in 2023, the wildcats face numerous challenges - from adjusting to the rugged terrain to dealing with the unpredictable forces of nature. However, the documentary also reveals the rewarding moments of success as they learn to survive and thrive on their own.
Saving Wildcats project lead, Dr Helen Senn, said: “This new film really brings to life some of the trials and tribulations of trying to bring back a species from the brink of extinction. It made me realise just how much has been achieved in a relatively short period of time but also how much work remains to be done if we are to secure a long-term future for one of Scotland’s most beautiful, iconic and amazing animals.”
Scott Brown, director at Midas Media, which produced Wildcats: Cait ann an Cunnart, added: “Making this film for BBC ALBA has been a truly eye-opening experience. It’s a rare privilege to witness the incredible efforts of the Saving Wildcats team, who are not only fighting to save a species but also showing us how passion, science, and conservation can make a real difference. This documentary highlights the resilience of the Scottish wildcat and the ongoing journey to ensure it thrives for generations to come.”
Part one of Wildcats: Cait ann an Cunnart is set to be broadcast in Gaelic with English subtitles, on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer @ 21:00 on Wednesday 8 January, with part two set to air the following week, on Wednesday 15 January. Watch live or on demand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026r4q
Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “This inspiring series offers BBC ALBA viewers an intimate look at a pivotal chapter in Scotland’s natural history, reflecting the role we can play in sharing the incredible stories on our doorstep. It’s amazing to see the dedication of the team working to save this iconic species and bring it back to the Scottish Highlands, highlighting what’s possible when we come together to protect our wildlife.”
Viewers who are inspired by the journey of wildcats into the wild can get involved and help by sponsoring a wildcat at savingwildcats.org.uk/sponsor
Notes to Editors
Background
- The conservation breeding and release of wildcats is being carried out by the Saving Wildcats partnership (#SWAforLIFE) led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), The Cairngorms National Park Authority, Nordens Ark and Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul de la Junta de Andalucía.
- The project is funded with the contribution of the LIFE Programme of the European Union and the generous support of the Scottish Government, Garfield Weston Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland, the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, The European Nature Trust, players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and Rewilding Europe's European Wildlife Comeback Fund.
- In June 2023, 19 wildcats were released into the Cairngorms Connect landscape within the Cairngorms National Park marking a historic milestone -the first release of wildcats in Britain.
- Wildcats bred for release are not available for public viewing. The public can learn more about wildcats and view other wildcats which are on-show at Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo.
People wishing to support wildcat conservation can sponsor a wildcat at savingwildcats.org.uk/sponsor
Partner information
- The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity which owns Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. We safeguard threatened species from extinction: rzss.org.uk
- NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website: nature.scot
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is the Government body responsible for the protection and expansion of Scotland's forests and woodlands: forestryandland.gov.scot/
- The Cairngorms National Park Authority was set up to ensure that the unique aspects of the Cairngorms – both the natural environment and the local communities – are cared for, sustained and enhanced for current and future generations to enjoy. The Cairngorms National Park Authority provides leadership to all those involved in the Cairngorms and works in partnership with a range of communities, businesses, non-government organisations and public sector partners to deliver practical solutions on the ground
- Norden’s Ark, based in Sweden, works to ensure endangered animals have a future: en.nordensark.se/
- Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul de la Junta de Andalucía, based in Spain, leads Europe’s most successful carnivore reintroduction of Iberian lynx: juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/site/portalweb/
- Cairngorms Connect is a partnership of neighbouring land managers (Wildland Limited, Forestry and Land Scotland, RSPB Scotland and NatureScot) working towards a 200-year vision to enhance habitat, species and ecological process across a vast 600 square kilometre area within the Cairngorms National Park. It is the largest habitat restoration project in the UK and is funded by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme
- For more information visit savingwildcats.org.uk
About Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLIFE)
Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLife) is a European partnership project dedicated to Scottish wildcat conservation and recovery. We aim to prevent the extinction of wildcats in Scotland by breeding and releasing them into the wild
For further information, please contact comms@rzss.org.uk
About BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA HD is available on the following platforms / Tha BBC ALBA HD ri fhaighinn anns na h-aiteachan a leanas:
- BBC iPlayer
- Sky 117 (Scotland) / Sky 169 (rest of UK)
- Virgin Media 120 (Scotland) / Virgin Media 161 (rest of UK)
- Freesat 109
BBC ALBA SD is available on Freeview / You View 7 (Scotland only).
