Strictly protected wildcat spreads in the southwest
It is estimated that several hundred of the strictly protected wildcats live in Baden-Württemberg and their numbers are increasing. "They are now colonizing the entire Rhine plain, from where this wild animal species is increasingly spreading eastwards," said a spokeswoman for the Forest Research Institute (FVA) Baden-Württemberg. Since 2018, there has also been increasing evidence that wildcats are also living on the High Rhine; they are now also on the advance in the north of Baden-Württemberg.
The animals benefit from mild winters - "they ensure the survival of wildcats both due to good food availability and better breeding conditions for the young in spring", said the spokesperson. Open spaces created by drought or, for example, trees falling due to storms or pests also help the animals to survive. "They need so-called open land and plenty of space to move around," it said.
The once endangered species is threatened by busy roads and habitats cut up by infrastructure - and above all by domestic cats. When wild cats mate with domestic cats, so-called hybrid species are created - a serious problem, especially in the southwest, the report continued. The Baden-Württemberg Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu) has therefore long been calling for free-roaming cats to be neutered in order to protect wildcats.
According to the FVA spokesperson, it is important to preserve forests as wildcat habitats so that they do not come close to settlements. In forests, wildcats are much less likely to encounter domestic cats. It is unclear whether the mixing of cats and wildcats will continue. The development will have to be monitored closely over the next few years.
The protection of Nature conservation efforts is crucial in preserving the habitat of these wildcats, ensuring the survival of various animal species like the wildcat. The increasing number of wildcats in the environment is a testament to the effectiveness of these conservation measures.
Source: www.dpa.com
