WILDCAT KITTEN NAMED “DORNOCH”
Photo: Royal Dornoch captain Gary Bethune (left) presents a £5905 cheque to David Barclay for the “Saving Wildcats” programme
A HIGHLAND wildcat kitten has been named “Dornoch” in recognition of the golf club’s support for an ambitious conservation recovery programme.
Club captain Gary Bethune learned of the gesture during a visit to the “Saving Wildcats” project, led by Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, based at the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore.
Gary was presenting the projects’ Ex-situ Conservation Manager David Barclay with a £5905 cheque when he was introduced, via a video link, to the kitten.
“The Saving Wildcats team are delighted to have ongoing support from Royal Dornoch, which has played a direct role in helping save this critically endangered species in Scotland,” said David.
“Each release into the wild is taking us one step closer to a healthy and sustainable wildcat population, ensuring we have this incredible species for future generations.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations from Royal Dornoch and are delighted to build on their existing connection with the wildcat.”
Royal Dornoch’s latest donation, generated by sales of members-only golf gear, takes the overall tally gifted to nearly £12,000.
Gary explained: “The iconic wildcat is central to Royal Dornoch’s crest and it can also be spotted at various locations in the town.
“Natives of Sutherland are known as Cattachs because of the Highland wildcat.
“Our members at home and abroad are keenly aware of the club’s heritage and they are taking a keen interest in the progress of this pioneering recovery programme.
“It’s a lovely gesture to name one of the kittens ‘Dornoch’ in recognition of the club’s support.
“It follows on from having a US thoroughbred racehorse with the same name.
“It was fascinating to see what goes into nurturing these kittens in preparation for being released into the wild.
“They have a dedicated team and some amazing state of the art technology at their disposal. My visit was a real eye-opener.”
“Dornoch,” who has a brother and sister to mum Morag, is a candidate for release into the Cairngorms National Park next summer.
David said the kitten would soon be separated from his siblings and moved into a larger pre-release enclosure.
“This imitates the natural dispersal in the wild of young wildcats away from their family,” said David.
“The team will be gathering behavioral data over the next few months before releases next summer.
“Dornoch will be fitted with a GPS radio collar so the team can track his movements in the wild.”
View a short video clip of the kittens at the Highland Wildlife Park below.