West Highland wildcat haven extended to cover 800 sq miles Published duration 10 March 2016

image copyright Adrian Bennett image caption The Scottish wildcat is among the world's most endangered species

Hundreds of square miles have been added to a Scottish wildcat "safe haven" in the west Highlands.

Organisers of the Wildcat Haven project said the area had been expanded by neutering 100 local domestic cats.

Breeding with pet and feral cats is among the most serious threats to wildcats as it results in hybridisation and also exposes them to diseases.

The latest neutering work has extended the haven by 300 sq miles to total of 800 sq miles.

The project's organisers said that the zone covered Ardnamurchan, Sunart, Morvern and Moidart.

They hope in future to extend the haven towards Fort William.

image copyright Wildcat Haven image caption The number of wildcats has declined because of cross-breeding and disease

The chief scientist on the project, Dr Paul O'Donoghue, said: "It's all about hybridisation. The wildcat is a very capable survivor and prefers to breed with other wildcats, but it's so outnumbered by domestic cats that hybridisation is inevitable.

"This means that over a few generations, those wildcat genes are lost, and you're just left with domestic and feral cats causing big problems for prey species and themselves."

image copyright Neville Buck image caption The Wildcat Haven project hopes to extend its range towards Fort William

The Scottish wildcat is among the world's most endangered animals.