European Wildcat (Felis silvestris) Classification

Camera trapping is a widely used method to study the abundance and population density of elusive terrestrial animals. To make full use of this method, it is necessary to obtain high photographic capture rates of the target species. We examine what characteristics of camera trapping sites are associated with high photographic capture rates of European Wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris.

We measured Wildcat capture rates across 25 camera trapping sites located in a 20km² study area within an unprotected low mountain range forest in central Germany. We measured the distance of each trapping site to the forest boundary, to the next watercourse, and to the next human settlement, and broadly defined the type of forest structure the site was located in. None of these site characteristics, however, predicted wildcat photographic capture success.

We also examined the degree of human disturbance at the site, measured as the photographic capture rate of humans (including vehicles). Wildcats were detected at similar rates on dirt or gravel roads (heavily used by humans) as on soft-surfaced paths or logging trails (less frequently used by humans), and the degree of human disturbance across sites did not affect wildcat capture success. We, therefore, suggest that trail features such as course, curvature and width, or vegetation density along the trail are more important determinants of Wildcat capture success than habitat characteristics.

We conclude that for European Wildcats, as for many larger felids, forest roads provide suitable camera trapping sites and that Wildcats are fairly tolerant towards human traffic on these roads.

Wening, H.; Werner, L.; Waltert, M.; Port, M.
Using camera traps to study the elusive European Wildcat Felis Silvestris Silvestris Schreber, 1777 (Carnivora: Felidae) in central Germany: what makes a good trapping site?
2019  Journal of Threatened Taxa (11): 13421-13431

In spring 2018, the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan Steering Group approached the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group with regard to an evaluation of the situation of the wildcat in Scotland and the implementation of conservation activities so far. We present here a summary of this, which was mainly based on the scientific literature and available reports.

Breitenmoser, U.; Lanz, T.; Breitenmoser-Wuersten, C.
Conservation of the wildcat in Scotland: an evaluation
2019  Cat News (69): 42-43

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is a threatened and elusive species that was previously considered to be forest-bound in central Europe. For the first time, we caught and radio-collared wildcats outside heavily forested habitats to investigate their habitat utilization pattern.

We used a generalized linear modelling framework to test our hypotheses that sex and season influence habitat selection in addition to habitat variables. Our results reveal a gender difference in habitat selection: Females were more restricted to areal shelter habitats and avoided the areas near roads more than did males. Males used more linear shelter habitats such as watercourses or hedges and avoided the proximity to settlements more than did females. The probability of wildcat occurrence far from shelter habitats was higher in summer than in winter, probably due to high coverage and shelter provided by crops. The same pattern applied to the proximity to roads.

We concluded that shelter habitats are one of the key factors for the occurrence of wildcats in agriculturally dominated landscapes. We recommend a management strategy that enhances structural heterogeneity in the agricultural landscape by conserving small-scale structures such as copses, hedges and wide field margins. Other species, such as the gray-partridge (Perdix perdix) and the common quail (Coturnix corturnix), can also benefit from these habitat recommendations. Additionally, this management strategy simultaneously creates habitat connectivity.

Jerosch, S.; Kramer-Schadt, S.; Götz, M.; Roth, M.
The importance of small-scale structures in an agriculturally dominated landscape for the European wildcat (Felis silvestirs silvestris) in central Europe and implications for its conservation
2018  Journal for Nature Conservation (41): 88-96