The first wildcat rescue facility in Scotland has been established in the Highlands.
Highland Titles have created the enclosure on land measuring over an acre in size, making it the largest wildcat facility in Europe.
It will prepare orphaned wildcats for their return to the wild and allow injured adult wildcats to recuperate without human presence.
The facility has multiple secluded den sites in a forest, a running stream, open grassland areas and will not be open to the public.
Wildcats at the facility will be fitted with GPS collars so their progress can be monitored once they are released.
They will be released into areas made safe by Wildcat Haven, who operate a large scale neutering programme to ensure the wildcat is protected against its primary threat of hybridisation.
Wildcats face threats such as snaring, poisoning, road traffic accidents and disturbance of den sites, which can lead to the abandonment of kittens.
A spokesman for Wildcat Haven said: “This is a fantastic boost for Scottish wildcat conservation and offers a route back to the wild for any wildcats in need of help. This is a much better alternative than a future in captivity.”
