Update on our Wildcat kittens

Earlier this week we sexed our wildcat kittens in preparation for moving them on to other places. Unfortunately earlier this year Iona lost her lone kitten, and then a couple of weeks ago Kendra lost one of hers after it had a nasty fall in the enclosure. However the remaining two kittens produced by Kendra are doing very well and look extremely healthy.

One of them is a female and the other a male. We will most likely be holding onto the female for ourselves as Lex a fantastic cat and it will be nice to hold back one of his offspring. This year also looks like it may be the last for our eldest cat "Una", who I fear may not be with us much longer and so this kitten will be a nice replacement for her. We will likely call her "Isla"

The young male cat "Richy Junior" will be re-located by the studbook holder, currently at Port-Lympne Zoo.

Our wildcats are part of the national studbook for Scottish Wildcats, currently held at Port-Lympne Zoo in Kent. The co-ordinator there is responsible for the relocation of captive wildcats part of the programme and ensuring the genetic purity as far is possible of captive wildcats. The hope is that one day there will be a safe haven in which to release pure Scottish Wildcats back into Scotland and keep our last remaining native cat in the country a lot longer than if we did nothing at all.

For more information on Scottish Wildcats and the efforts being made to ensure their survival, check out the Scottish Wildcat Association.

Flying Owls

Our two new barn owls, hatched out here at the Centre earlier this year, have finally joined our flying team. After being successfully reared by keeper Katie, they took their first flight in front of the public over the weekend. Having coped with that as well as they did it was time for the training line to come off, and earlier today they took their first free flights around the Dell.

Katie has trained them well, and they both performed brilliantly. They will be on top form for the displays come the winter week opening and going into the weekends for next year where we also hope to add a little owl and short-eared owl to the flying team.

The barn owls have been named "Dawn" and "Evy"

Fallow Deer Rut

The fallow deer rut is in full flow, I am afraid I have no pictures of this years clashing of antlers, but above is a photo of William "barking" to the rest of the herd.

Our pale buck William seems to have ousted Norman from his position of master buck. Some of you may remember that last year William put up a good fight, but was cut short when he broke one of his antlers. This year he seems to be faring much better with two. He has clashed antlers only a couple of times with the other buck, and even had a short lived go with Eric! But seems to be quite in charge of the fallow does currently.

Hopefully I will be able to bring you photos of some action soon, if not I can post a couple from last year to show you what the rut is all about.