After the introduction of mating pair Oscar and Ossian earlier this year, our latest native species has continued to blossom as not one but two litters of Scottish wildcat kittens have been born at Belfast Zoo.
The latest kittens are a welcome sight as they will be part of a new conservation breeding programme with our partners in Scotland.
“We are very hopeful they will play an important part in the species’ recovery,” said Senior Keeper Linda Frew. In time, the kittens will be brought over to Scotland on the ferry where they will hopefully play their part in saving this species from extinction.”
Linda added
We are grateful to P&O Ferries for their sponsorship of the travel of the Scottish wildcats and would like to thank them for supporting Belfast Zoo as we embark on a new native species breeding programme which has already shown very promising beginnings.
Roger Armson, General Manager, P&O Ferries, “P&O Ferries are thrilled to partner with Belfast Zoo and to assist in the transportation of the kittens. It is a great honour to be a part of the preservation of this iconic and native species. In addition to people and cars, we transport a wide range of goods on our vessels and it will be our pleasure for the Scottish wildcat kittens to travel home with P&O Ferries. We hope this important breeding programme continues to be a success and that P&O Ferries can support it for many years to come."