Scottish Wildcat Survey 
Please help us to determine the current status of the Scottish Wildcat by submitting any recent sightings of wild-living cats in Scotland on this questionnaire.
The Scottish Wildcat is the only native cat in the British Isles. Although originally distributed throughout Britain, the species suffered a marked decline in numbers in the 19th century due to deforestation and persecution, and is now restricted to Scotland.
Scottish Wildcats are now one of Britain’s rarest mammals and may be in serious danger of extinction.
The last survey of Scottish wildcats took place over 20 years ago. The purpose of this survey is to provide updated information on their distribution to allow conservation measures to be implemented efficiently and effectively.
The Scottish Wildcat has been identified in Scotland's Species Action Framework (SAF) as a species requiring targeted management action to improve prospects for its future survival as a distinct native species.
Visit The SAF website at http://www.snh.org.uk/speciesactionframework
Scottish Wildcats interbreed with feral (i.e. living in the wild) domestic cats. Indeed, this is one of the main threats to their continued existence as a distinct species.
Therefore we would also like a better understanding of the distribution of feral domestic cats in Scotland. Separating wildcats from feral domestic cats in the field can be very difficult, particularly given the existence of hybrids. 
For both of these reasons we would like observers to use this questionnaire to submit all recent sightings (i.e. within the last five years) of wild-living cats, whether you think they are feral domestic cats, or wildcats.
Any photographs or videos of sightings would be extremely useful, and we would be very grateful if you could provide copies of any such images along with the questionnaire.
If you are unable to give details on sightings of individual cats, general information on cat sightings in your area during this time would also be useful.
Additional copies of this questionnaire can be obtained from Adrian Davis at the address/phone number given on the contact us page.
Questionnaires can also be submitted electronically to Adrian at naiadecology@hotmail.co.uk.
This questionnaire can be used to record sightings of both live and dead cats.
We are also very interested in obtaining carcasses of dead wild-living cats. Often, such cats are found on roads.
If you find such a cat:
- Park safely and watch out for other traffic
- Make sure you do not compromise your own safety or that of other road users.
- Check for signs of life before touching the animal (if alive, do not touch it).
- If animal is badly squashed, or you are not able to collect it, please take photos (showing tail, shoulders, flanks, muzzle and feet if possible).
- Use plastic bags or gloves to recover the body.
- Securely seal the body in plastic bags and keep it cool (ideally deep-frozen).
- Phone Adrian Davis on 01350 727201 for instructions (you may be asked to post the body in packaging supplied by Adrian, or we may be able to arrange for the carcass to be collected from you).
- Please use the questionnaire on the next page to provide further details .
- If you are providing a carcass please include the questionnaire within the same package.
Alternatively, if the carcass could not be collected, or is not required, please submit the questionnaire to the postal address given along with any photographs taken.
We are also keen to obtain carcasses which have died in other ways. In particular, we would be particularly interested in animals accidentally killed during legal predator control activities.
Many thanks in anticipation for your help with this survey.
Adrian
If you have seen what you believe to be a wildcat please follow the link to the questionnaire and submit this online by clicking here.
Adrian Davis
Naiad Environmental Consultancy
Birnam Guest House
4 Murthly Terrace
Birnam Dunkeld
Perthshire
PH80BG
Tel 01350 727201 or Mob 07761673231