Cairngorms Wildcat Project scoops prestigious ‘Nature of Scotland’ award
Cairngorms Wildcat Project scoops prestigious ‘Nature of Scotland’ award
The Cairngorms Wildcat Project is celebrating this morning after a successful night at the ‘Nature of Scotland’ awards.
Held last night (30th October) in Edinburgh, the Cairngorms Wildcat Project won the innovation award having impressed the judging panel with their work to bring land managers and conservationists together to gather vital information to better understand the species and raise awareness of their plight. The project was also shortlisted for the Species Champion Award.
The Nature of Scotland awards were launched by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in 2012 to recognise excellence, innovation and outstanding nature conservation in Scotland.
The Cairngorms Wildcat Project was launched in 2009 to protect the wildcat’s future in the Cairngorms National Park and raise awareness of the species’ plight. The iconic Scottish species is threatened by hybridisation with domestic cats, and the confusion in cat identification that this creates in the countryside. It is now rarer than the Bengal tiger with fewer than 400 thought to be left in the wild.
The project, which concluded last year, worked with gamekeepers to help them to identify wildcats in the field to ensure their predator control was wildcat-friendly. It also worked with local vets and cat welfare charities to encourage responsible cat ownership and neutering of feral cats.
Camera trapping also revealed wildcats on estates where they were not thought to live, while the public was able to report sightings and make donations to the project.
Will Boyd-Wallis, the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Head of Land Management & Conservation and Chair of the Wildcat Project, said the awards were the result of commitment from all partners.
“We’re delighted to have received this recognition and it is particularly special to win it in the Park’s 10th anniversary year. When we began the Cairngorms Wildcat Project we always knew it had to be the start of something bigger if we are to save the Scottish wildcat from extinction. The lessons learned from the project were both invaluable and influential in shaping the new national Conservation Action Plan for the species. The award is further proof that there is broad support for saving this fascinating species.
“Through the fantastic support of the estates, gamekeepers, farmers, vets and cat welfare volunteers in the National Park, as well as the joint effort of all the project partners, we have achieved a great deal. The future of the wildcat is still far from certain, but the award demonstrates this is a model conservation project that could be applied to wildcat conservation in other parts of Scotland and beyond.”
Director of RSPB Scotland Stuart Housden OBE, who was also one of the judges, said: “Scotland is renowned worldwide for its beautiful wild places and abundant wildlife. We must work hard to preserve this precious natural heritage, celebrating success stories and protecting that which is under real threat. The Cairngorms Wildcat Project is a perfect example of such a success story, it was innovative in its approach and has provided a unique insight into one of Britain’s most endangered and mysterious species”
Alert
Latest from the National Park
Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire south of Aviemore.
Historic bridge in Nethy replaced after years of community effort
New bridge over Allt Mòr Burn officially opens
Endangered ant queen found in Royal Deeside
An exciting discovery in Royal Deeside is being hailed as a milestone in the recovery of a critically endangered species.
Relevant alerts
-
Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
----
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
-
Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.