Tuesday 21st January 2020

I meet up with Beatrice at Zurich train station and we head to a cafe for our discussion. Beatrice was responsible for developing the SNP technique, a genetic method used to distinguish wildcats from domestic/feral cats and hybrids.

Beatrice has been monitoring the wildcat population across Switzerland for the last ten years using a systematic random sampling method based on Nina Klar’s habitat model. Essentially, she is using the same raster based lure stick technique, underpinned by the habitat model that is used by the BUND and other researchers in Germany.

The project began in the Jura mountains and is now extending out further east and west with the expansion of the wildcat population, as the Jura mountain area appears to be reaching it’s carrying capacity.

Exact numbers of wildcats are unknown and the focus of investigation is more about tracking the expansion of the species i.e. studying distribution, density and any risks of hybridisation as they move into areas which hold domestic and feral cats. However, there are likely to be hundreds of wildcats within the Jura and connected areas and the population is connected to the French population. It’s thought that the wildcat population started to expand around 2007.

Beatrice believes that hybridisation with domestic cats remains a possibility and a risk to any wildcat population where there are large numbers of domestic and feral cats. A recurring theme that the domestic/feral cat population of a potential reintroduction area must be understood ahead of any release.

Beatrice also emphasises the need for genetic diversity amongst reintroduced founders to reduce the risk of inbreeding and continued genetic monitoring as well as trying to retain as much of the Scottish genetic wildcat resource as possible.

With that Beatrice has to leave to head of to the University, whilst I head off in the direction of the many chocolate shops in the city to buy gifts for friends and family.