Pine Martens Together

It is that time of year again when we have another go at breeding our pine martens. Many of you already know that I have a particular soft spot for the pine marten, and so it is with much frustration that we have yet to successfully breed them here at the Centre.

We have had success with all other British mammals we have kept here in the past, but pine marten kits still elude us. It is well known that they are difficult animals to breed, but other centres have had success in the past, and with us having pairs together for the last three or four breeding seasons (a success in its self, with many not getting on and fighting with each other) I am sure it is only a matter of time.

At the end of last week I once again introduced Clyde in with Bonnie for the next two and a half months in the hope that they will mate.

It was a dilemma for me whether to continue with this pairing, or introduce our other male, Hamish, with Bonnie for something different. Certainly, if we continue to fail every year we will have to try something different... but having spoken to others who have bred these animals in the past, many seemed to suggest that if we have a pair that we can introduce with each other each year with relatively few problems, then we should stick with that and hope that in time we will be successful.

It seems to me that over the last three breeding seasons they were together, they were getting closer to breeding... and I think they mated the last two seasons they were together, so fingers crossed for third time lucky!

The most frustrating thing of all is the wait to see if we have been successful. With a delayed implantation, we won't see if Bonnie becomes pregnant until early next year! I have heard that even other centres who have had success, still often don't breed them every year, so it does seem a little luck is needed too.

My next decision is whether to introduce Hamish with our other female, Buttons, in a weeks time... it seems silly not too if we have that potential pairing, but then Buttons is quite old now, and Hamish is a vicious little thing... often trying to square up with the others through the wire divides of their run system. Of course, I will update you of things if and when it happens.

Youngsters at the BWC

A bumper post for you today to make up for the lack of posts this week. I thought I would bring you a little update on how our wildcat kittens and deer calves are doing. So check out the video below for a short clip of our kittens playing... I will try and get something better for you over the coming weeks as they start to venture out further and get bolder.

Here are a couple of photos of the kittens, you can see from the one below that they have their reputation even from a young age.

 I've said to many of you who have visited in recent weeks, but it never stops to amaze me just how blue their eyes are when they first open... they have started to turn colour already, but you can see from the photo above how strikingly blue they are for a couple of weeks.

OK, so on to our red deer...

A short clip of a new born calf finding her feet, followed by a few photos fo mum carefully looking after her.

There is something rather special about deer... I can't explain it, but it really does feel quite magical when you are out in the paddock with them. Once the calves are born they are on their feet within minutes, quite remarkable really, but as a prey animal this is how they have adapted. Sooner they can run the sooner they can run away!

Our kittens are out and about quite often during the day now, and our first few deer calves to be born have just started to wander over for food with their mums so why not come and see them.

Red Deer Calves

It seems that the BWC is booming with babies at the moment. Over the last few days we have seen our first few red deer calves being born.

It is always lovely to see the deer being born, and remarkable to see the youngsters on their feet and moving around within 15 minutes! A little tentatively at first of course, but it doesn't take them long. When first born the calves are covered in a light, white dappling across their bodies... this would help act as camouflage out in the wild. After a few months they will start to lose this patterning, and will go in to the winter with the plain red coat, much like the adults.

For the first few weeks the calves will be very shy, if you want to try and spot them the best place to be will be on our deer platform. The best place to look will be along the back fence of the paddock, they will most likely be lying down keeping still.

A good clue will be if you see a mother on her own, separate from the pack. Nearby will almost certainly be her calf.

Give it a month or two, and the calves will be coming over with their mums to feed... and if your lucky enough over the next few days, you may well see some more calves being born.