Local event raises over £1000 for Scottish wildcats

Organised by supporters of Scottish Wildcat Action, a wildcat conservation project, the event took place in Tullynessle and Forbes Community Hall on June 4 and raised £1200. Patrice MacPherson hosted a lively auction and kept everyone laughing with his comedy act. Prizes included a cap signed by Brian May, of the band Queen, and a crystal wildcat engraving. William the wildcat, the Scottish Wildcat Action mascot, also made an appearance.

Councillor Katrina Farquhar, wildcat species champion, commented: “This event was a fantastic local achievement, bringing people together to have some fun for a worthwhile cause. Scottish wildcats are a native species and need our help. It’s local people in wildcat priority areas like Aberdeenshire who can make the biggest impact.”

Scottish Wildcat Action is a multi-partner project working across Scotland to save the species. It’s funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government.

Maureen Laverman, who organised the event, said: “As a group of domestic cat owners and rescuers, we decided to raise public awareness of the plight of the wildcats in 2009. This naturally led to fundraising, and that is when The Highland Tiger Fling was born. This is our fourth biannual event, and we’ve raised thousands of pounds over the years. Not only do the cats benefit from what we do, but we have also made lifelong friendships with people who would probably never have met otherwise. We have a lot of supporters who have stood by us since the first event, and it's because of their ongoing support that the Highland Tiger Fling will continue to provide for wildcats.”

Historically, Scottish wildcats declined in numbers during the Victorian era due to hunting and a change in land use. Now, the main threat comes from our domestic cats, particularly those that are feral and living in the wild. They can interbreed and pass disease to wildcats.

Dr Roo Campbell, Project Manager, Scottish Wildcat Action, added: “We’re not only very grateful for the donation, but also for the hard work that went into this event. Raising awareness of the plight of our forgotten cat is so important. Scottish Wildcat Action relies on the passion and commitment of local volunteers to help us with our practical fieldwork, but every cat owner in Scotland can help too. Neuter your pet at four months of age and make sure you vaccinate them every year. Only then will there be a safe home in Scotland for the Scottish wildcat.”

For more information about the project, visit www.scottishwildcataction.org or on facebook and twitter @SaveOurWildcats.

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