Hair in the forest: Who are the mysterious wild cats of the Siebengebirge?

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Königswinter: Conservationists are on the trail of the wild cat

In the Siebengebirge, a committed team of conservationists are busy exploring and protecting the wild cat's existence. Katharina Stenglein from the federal government has placed special curlysticks in the forest in the past few weeks, which are prepared with a odor spray to attract the shy animals. These curly sticks are designed so that wild cats are grated and hair, which are then collected for genetic analysis.

The results of these examinations are of great interest, especially for district forester Jens Merzbach, who is excited about the results of the monitoring. These activities are part of a larger project that aims to clarify the whereabouts and the spread of the wildcat in the region. It is already evident that the wildcat is dependent on a specific forest structure that includes old trees and dead wood to secure its habitat.

Katharina Stenglein and her colleague check the curly sticks weekly to securely pack collected hair and send it to the laboratory for analysis. The collected samples are used to not only identify the wild cats, but also to clarify whether there may be crossings with domestic cats. This information is essential to develop effective protective measures.

The “green corridors” are particularly important, which help the wild cats move around their surroundings and to open up new habitats. Efficient nature conservation measures also include the willingness of walkers and hikers, to understand information about wild cats and act respectfully. Stenglein warns that it can be fatal to take wildcat babies out of the forest, as their mothers are often only on the hunt.

The wildcat, which was greatly decimated at the beginning of the 20th century, has been able to recover a little again, but its continued existence remains fragile. The ongoing efforts and studies are crucial to ensure the survival of this kind in the long term and to preserve their role as an indicator of intact ecosystems.