BUND takes successful stock of wildcat project

Saxony should once again become a paradise for wild cats. At least that is what many animal lovers and conservationists are hoping for. The German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) has now drawn a positive balance of the project "Wildcats - Beware of confusion!" The aim was to educate the public about these sensitive animals. "The wildcat is slowly spreading in Saxony. There is already evidence of it in the Leipziger Auwald, Werdauer Wald, the Vogtland and the Dübener Heide," said project manager Almut Gaisbauer.

"Over the past two years, we have therefore worked intensively to raise awareness of the dangers of confusing European wildcats with domestic cats," explained the expert. The focus has been on the distinguishing features of domestic and wild cats. Confusion with domestic cats is a real danger for wild cats. Far too often, wild cat kittens are mistaken for abandoned domestic kittens and taken from the forest. The aim was to raise awareness of this issue through educational work, excursions and training courses.

"Educating veterinarians and animal welfare associations was particularly important to us, as they are the first people to contact when an injured wildcat is found or a kitten is collected," emphasized Gaisbauer. Under no circumstances should wildcats be brought together with domestic cats. This could lead to the transmission of diseases to which wild cats are not immune. Anyone who finds a young or injured cat in the forest and is unsure can contact the wild cat office of BUND Sachsen. There is also an emergency telephone in the wild cat village of Hütscheroda (Thuringia).