Return of the wildcat: Historical evidence in Schleswig-Holstein!

Return of the wildcat: Historical evidence in Schleswig-Holstein!

The time has finally come: In Schleswig-Holstein, the return of the European wildcat has been officially proven for the first time in centuries. This animal sensation was made possible by the commitment of a hunter who initiated the spotted rescue from a game fence. Hunter Jan Haberkamm discovered the animal in the Duchy of Lauenburg and was able to free it. The hair that the wild animal left behind there led to a genetic test leading to positive confirmation of the species-protected wild cat, which had been considered extinct since the Middle Ages. According to Welt, the animal would be the first of its kind to repopulate the region after the wildcat population in Schleswig-Holstein was destroyed by habitat destruction and hunting disappeared.

The Wildcat, also known asFelis sylvestris, was extinct mainly due to the destruction of their habitats in the Middle Ages. Genetic evidence not only marks the return of a historically important species, but also creates new opportunities for practical conservation. The State Office for the Environment (LfU) and BUND have drawn up plans to support the reintroduction. Lurestock monitoring is planned, in which wooden sticks will be prepared with valerian in order to collect further hair samples and learn more about the distribution of the wild cat. The Schleswig-Holstein State Hunting Association emphasizes how important Haberkamm's quick action was to provide genetic evidence.

An important step for nature conservation

The genetic evidence from the Senckenberg Institute in Gelnhausen shows that wild cats are spreading again in northern regions, which is very encouraging in light of their previous extinction. The BUND emphasizes that the European wildcat is under strict protection and must be protected from other dangers, such as knotted mesh fences. An animal was recently documented in the region twice, once by a wildlife camera that is active in [BUND](https://www.bund-sh.de/presse/pressemitigungen/detail/news/wildkatze-nach- Jahrhunderten-zurueck-im-hohen-norden/) for its campaigns to highlight the need for nature conservation. Such fences can become a deadly trap for wild animals.

Martin Schmidt from the LfU explains that the return of the wildcat represents significant progress for nature conservation and that the connectivity of habitats will be crucial for the future population. The question still remains as to whether this animal will remain permanently in Schleswig-Holstein or whether it is on the move.

The wild cat differs significantly from ordinary domestic cats. Their striking features are a bushy tail and a characteristic neck pattern with dark colored stripes. Wild cats need natural forests with plenty of hiding places to develop and thrive.

As a joint effort to protect wild animals, the BUND and the State Office for the Environment are committed to supporting projects that aim to create safe habitats for wild cats and other wild animals. The return of the wildcat is not only a victory for conservation activists, but also an optimistic outlook for the future of wildlife in Schleswig-Holstein.