Conservationists can't believe their eyes when they spot rare animal in woods

A photo has sparked huge excitement among experts and enthusiasts, after a Felis Silvestris was captured wandering alone. 

At first glance, the European wildcat is hard to spot, perfectly camouflaged among the trees and leaves. But on closer inspection, a lone individual can be seen making their way through the woods..

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A much-anticipated return

Intense hunting of European wildcats in the 18th and 19th centuries nearly resulted in the extinction of the shy predator, but recent conservation efforts seem to be paying off.

Gerd Julke, from the Ahlden Forestry Office, is delighted. "We hope that we may even see some young animals on the footage soon", he explained. 

Hope for a new generation

The plan was put into action using decoy sticks sprayed with valerian, in an attempt to work out which routes the wildcats commonly use. 

Attracted by the scent, the animals often try to rub themselves against the sticks, leaving fur behind. This then helps the team work out where to set up the cameras. 

With photo evidence from August 2024 proving their presence in the area, conservationists look forward to seeing the population grow in coming years.