Plan unveiled to halt decline in Scottish wildcat population A new scheme has been unveiled aimed at saving the Scottish wildcat from extinction. The project aims to identify and secure at least five stable groups of wildcats by 2019, as well as foster better understanding of the threats the animals face in the wild. Some reports claim the species, dubbed the "Highland Tiger," has dwindled to just 35 animals, although no official figures have been compiled. The Scottish Wildcat Action Plan will work to boost awareness of the threat the creatures face from cross-breeding with domestic and feral cats, and ensure cat owners living in wildcat "hotspots" understand the importance of having their animals neutered and vaccinated. It coincides with efforts by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Aspinall Foundation to establish breeding pairs to reinforce the species in future. Those involved in the £2 million project are seeking funding, with the Heritage Lottery Fund having indicated the scheme meets its criteria by giving it a "first round pass" to a cash award of £873,000. Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said there was a "legal and moral obligation to try and conserve the species." He said: "The Scottish wildcat is an iconic species that is emblematic of the wild parts of Scotland. As a society we have a legal and moral obligation to try and conserve the species, so that it continues to be part of our natural heritage for generations to come. Clearly great concern has been expressed to me and my predecessors about the decline in Scottish wildcat numbers and, while it is difficult to accurately estimate numbers for what is such an elusive animal, we have now set ourselves the target of halting the decline of the wildcat by the end of the decade and in the longer term we would hope that the steps we will take can help this marvellous animal stage a recovery. Rob Ogden, from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: "Continuing to conserve populations in the wild is the priority, but as a safety net we want to develop a breeding programme designed to reinforce the natural population through the release of cats fully prepared for life in the wild Of course before we start thinking about releasing animals we need to first address the factors that are currently threatening wild populations.