<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div>Three Scottish Wildcat kittens, considered rarer than the Bengal Tiger and Giant Panda, are ready to make their debut on Caturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Courtesy of <i>Kent Online </i>(Kent, England) at:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/new-arrivals-rarer-than-bengal-98605/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link">http://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/new-arrivals-rarer-than-bengal-98605/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link</a></div><div><br></div><div>---------------------------------</div><div><h1 style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 23px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal; font-family: Adamina, Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Wildwood near Canterbury introduces Scottish Wildcat kittens - rare than the Bengal Tiger</h1><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A popular wildlife park is introducing its newest arrivals – three rare Scottish Wildcat kittens named Oban, Fearn and Rhu.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The male and two females have been born at Wildwood near Canterbury, Kent and are now making a public appearance.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dad RJ is currently separated from mother Carna and her three kittens for their safety.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Keeper Sally Holt said “If we decide that it is possible, we will carefully integrate them in a few weeks when the kittens are bigger and stronger.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Scottish wildcats are in such serious decline, they are considered rarer than the Bengal Tiger and Giant Panda.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They once roamed all over the UK, but were persecuted and their habitat destroyed, driving them north.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ms Holt added: “The reason they look so much like your average tabby cat is because they breed with our domestic moggy.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Hence, diluting 'wildcat' genetics and producing what we call a hybrid cat, with altered markings on its coat.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“It is vital we try to conserve what we have left in the wild and in captivity.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wildcats at Wildwood are genetically tested for their purity to determine whether they are good candidates for joining the conservation breeding programme, run by Scottish Wildcat Action.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“At just 4 weeks old, the kittens were already showing off their bold and fiery attitude with hisses and spits when keepers entered their enclosure. They are certainly not to be messed with!” said Ms Holt.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">--------------------</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Photos</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/Caturday/Caturday_070916_01.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_070916_01.jpg</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/Caturday/Caturday_070916_02.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_070916_02.jpg</a></span></p></div><div>---------------------------------<br><br><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>