2 Friends Find A Cat Buried In The Snow, Only To Discover It Was One Of The Most Endangered Mammals In Europe
Turns out, being kind and trying your best to help those in need can sometimes get you into pretty surprising and unexpected situations. That’s exactly what happened to these two cat-loving friends from the United Kingdom a few days ago.
While on a walk in Cairngorms National Park, the pair accidentally discovered a tiny kitten shivering in the snow. After taking the kitten to the vet, the men were told that this poor thing is actually an extremely rare Scottish wildcat.
While taking a walk in Cairngorms National Park, these two men happened across a tiny kitten shivering in the snow
Image credits: SWNS
“Piotr found him and picked him up, he was absolutely tiny, he must have only been a couple of months old. I grew up with cats and so did my friend who I found him with. At first, we thought it was a domestic cat which had run away, it was absolutely freezing and its coat was matted from lying in the snow,” one of the men named Pete McNab told Metro UK.
Piotr then decided to take the freezing cat and bring it to the vet. “My friend had a proper bonding session with it, he took it to the vet and I posted on local Facebook groups trying to track down the owner,” Pete added.
After taking the kitten to the vet, the men found out that this animal is actually a Scottish wildcat
Image credits: SWNS
At the time, Piotr was even ready to take the cat in if no one comes forward. However, the vets had some important news about the kitten. “Due to his personality, the vets began to suspect he was a wildcat,” Pete told Daily Mail.
“Specialists were saying ‘it’s amazing you managed to carry a wildcat for three miles without it ripping you to shreds’—we had been joking it was a wildcat because its claws were like miniature razors,” he added.
Sadly, despite the best efforts to help it, the wildcat didn’t make it
Image credits: SWNS
The next day, the wildcat sadly passed away. “The next day we got a call saying ‘we are sorry the cat has passed away,'” Pete told Daily Mail. “But it was the experience of a lifetime.”
This touching experience inspired Piotr and Pete to start a fundraiser to raise £1,000 ($1373) for a charity helping wildcats. As of now, the men have already raised over $7720.
Scottish wildcats are incredibly rare animals and there are only around 100 to 300 of them left in the wild
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Turns out, the Scottish wildcat is the most endangered mammal in the United Kingdom and one of the most endangered in Europe. “There are only around 100 to 300 left in the wild,” Pete told Daily Mail.
They are one of the most endangered mammals in Europe
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Here’s what people had to say about this story
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That is so sad. Rest in peace, little one. I watched a Netflix program on the plight of Scottish Wildcats. Some conservationists are trying to improve their numbers. These wildcats resemble household tabbies, and are only marginally larger in size. Some people mistake them for strays and have shot at them. Why would anyone shoot at any non-threatening animal?
Take pic and post, i think i speak for most of the pandas when i say we want to see it
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One of the reasons they are so endangered is that they often breed with domestic cats. This has been happening for so long that in some areas there are none left who aren't a significant part ordinary cat - ie no longer a wildcat. To prevent this their has been a campaign for owners to get their cats neutered. The story comes up every few years and then is forgotten. It's Europe's only wild cat, its habitat is still there so it SHOULD be easy to reverse the trend..
Poor little baby :( At least he/she had some comfort and warmth before leaving us. Rest well wee one ❤️
Scottish wildcats do not necessarily grow bigger than domestic cats (which can vary greatly in size). They can actually interbreed with domestic cats, which does not help to preserve this endangered animal. Kudos to these wonderful gentlemen for trying to save the cat. The Scottish Wildcat is one of my special nonprofit donation projects (although I try to support as many efforts to save endangered species as I can afford). Because of my Scots heritage, this little cat is special to me. I just sent a donation last night to a group working to preserve this species and which is about to reintroduce an orphaned kitten back into the wild.
Awwww, such a nice story. "Sadly, despite the best efforts to help it, the wildcat didn’t make it" GODDAMMIT, BP!!!! I came here to smile, not feel!
That is so sad. Rest in peace, little one. I watched a Netflix program on the plight of Scottish Wildcats. Some conservationists are trying to improve their numbers. These wildcats resemble household tabbies, and are only marginally larger in size. Some people mistake them for strays and have shot at them. Why would anyone shoot at any non-threatening animal?
Take pic and post, i think i speak for most of the pandas when i say we want to see it
Load More Replies... One of the reasons they are so endangered is that they often breed with domestic cats. This has been happening for so long that in some areas there are none left who aren't a significant part ordinary cat - ie no longer a wildcat. To prevent this their has been a campaign for owners to get their cats neutered. The story comes up every few years and then is forgotten. It's Europe's only wild cat, its habitat is still there so it SHOULD be easy to reverse the trend..
Poor little baby :( At least he/she had some comfort and warmth before leaving us. Rest well wee one ❤️
Scottish wildcats do not necessarily grow bigger than domestic cats (which can vary greatly in size). They can actually interbreed with domestic cats, which does not help to preserve this endangered animal. Kudos to these wonderful gentlemen for trying to save the cat. The Scottish Wildcat is one of my special nonprofit donation projects (although I try to support as many efforts to save endangered species as I can afford). Because of my Scots heritage, this little cat is special to me. I just sent a donation last night to a group working to preserve this species and which is about to reintroduce an orphaned kitten back into the wild.
Awwww, such a nice story. "Sadly, despite the best efforts to help it, the wildcat didn’t make it" GODDAMMIT, BP!!!! I came here to smile, not feel!
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