Inside Scotland's efforts to conserve its wildcat population, a team is using 72 trail cameras to monitor wildcats bred in captivity as they prepare for release into the Cairngorms. The cameras, described by Estelle Morgan, an animal team leader from the Saving Wildcats partnership, as "like Big Brother for cats," allow researchers to observe the cats' health and behavior, ensuring they are capable of surviving in the wild. The team evaluates whether the cats can climb, pounce, navigate complex structures, and be active at natural times. This year, the cameras captured a historic moment: a wildcat giving birth for the first time. To prevent the animals from becoming too accustomed to humans, contact with the cats is kept to a minimum. Since 2024, Saving Wildcats has successfully reintroduced 46 wildcats into the Cairngorms, where they have reproduced and produced at least 20 wild-born litters. Plans are now in place to reintroduce wildcats into other parts of Scotland. Dr. Martin Gaywood, a NatureScot species project manager, said the Cairngorm project has been a success but is only the first step. He emphasized the need for long-term planning and large-scale efforts to restore wildcat populations across the country, expressing optimism that translocation projects could begin within five years. The national strategy for wildcat conservation includes identifying new release sites and restoring and reconnecting habitats to expand the cats’ range. Additional measures, such as microchipping, neutering, and vaccinating pet and feral cats in selected areas, aim to prevent interbreeding with domestic cats. Dr. Helen Senn from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland noted that climate change is a key factor in identifying new areas for reintroduction. Recent events such as severe storms, flooding, and forest fires in the release area have highlighted the need for resilience through larger, more widespread populations. The Scottish wildcat population was declared functionally extinct in 2018 and is currently classified as critically endangered. Even after release, wildcats in the Cairngorms are closely monitored using trail cameras and collars that emit signals for a short time. Louise Hughes, operations manager for the Saving Wildcats partnership, explained that the data collected helps scientists understand the cats’ movements, hunting behavior, and habitat use. Some wildcats have been spotted in unexpected places, such as in holes or among tree roots. Scottish Land and Estates has supported the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan, with several estates providing release sites, monitoring, and recording sightings. Public sightings contribute significantly to the information gathered. One notable wildcat, Sully, released in 2024, was captured on camera swimming across the River Spey. Estelle Morgan emphasized that wildcats were once widespread in the UK and that the work in the Cairngorms will inform future releases elsewhere in Scotland. She noted that the wildcat, the only native cat in Britain, "deserves to be here, they're part of the landscape."