Staff at the Budapest Zoo rescued two orphaned wildcats, releasing them into the wild on Tuesday in Zselic, Somogy County.
In a statement released on Thursday the Budapest Zoo explained that the wildcats were found as cubs in early June by the Danube-Drava National Park Directorate staff near the village of Szenna. The cubs had likely become separated from their mother and were unable to survive independently without help.
The orphaned cubs were taken to the conservation rescue centre at the Budapest Zoo, where caretakers continued to rear them and transitioned them from milk to solid food.
The wildcats have now reached a level of maturity that allows them to survive independently in the wild. They are strong and skilled enough to live without human assistance. Prior to their release, both animals underwent genetic testing.
European wildcats in Hungary often crossbreed with stray domestic cats, posing a conservation challenge by reducing the number of purebred wildcats. Furthermore, some domestic cats have colour variations that closely resemble wildcats. However, the lab tests confirmed that these two are indeed wildcats.
In cooperation with the Danube-Drava National Park Directorate, the young wildcats were released back into the wild. Experts familiar with the region suggested Kardosfa, near Zselickisfalud, as a suitable release site, further from Szenna.
According to the zoo, their wildlife rescue efforts give a second chance to over 2,000 animals annually–2,368 last year alone. Most rescued animals are birds, but mammals and a smaller number of reptiles are also included. In the last five years, nine wildcats have been successfully rehabilitated and returned to their natural habitat following their rearing.
Wildcats, which are highly protected in Hungary and have been named the Mammal of the Year for 2024, will be the stars of the Wildcat Gala and Fair on Saturday, organized by the zoo in partnership with the Herman Ottó Institute.
Those interested in wildcats and other felines will be able to enjoy themed guided tours, conservation fairs, stands from national park directorates and partner organizations, educational talks, stage performances, interactive storytelling, and a children’s concert titled Natural Songs by Vilmos Gryllus. The full programme is available on the zoo’s website, the statement added.
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