Rewilding plans for Exmoor

Could wildcats and red squirrels return to Exmoor?

Wildcats at Rewilding Coombeshead in Devon Photo by Nick Withers

Plans have been announced to look at the possibility of reintroducing the wildcat to Exmoor for the first time in hundreds of years. Devon Wildlife Trust says it wants to appoint what is believed to be England’s first ‘Wildcat Project Officer’.

Peter Burgess, the trust’s director of nature recovery said, “There’s a lot for us to do before this becomes a reality. Much of this will involve working with local communities to see if reintroduction is feasible.”

“Wildcats are the UK’s rarest mammal and are on the verge of extinction in Scotland - their last refuge. They are now subject to urgent species recovery action and we want to investigate the possibility of Devon being part of this.”

Wildcats were driven to extinction in England and Wales by the 18th Century. The trust said the Devon landscape was one of the mammal’s “last strongholds”.

They look similar to a large domestic tabby cat, but are stockier and have a fluffier, blunt tail which has distinct banding.

Meanwhile, a scheme is being set up along the North Devon and Exmoor coast to help support the reintroduction of red squirrels.

Red Squirrel South West has been awarded government funding to establish a management programme for grey squirrels between Ilfracombe and Minehead.

Grey squirrels, classed as an invasive species, will be culled. Project coordinator Mish Kennaway said ancient oak woodlands in North Devon were “going backwards” because grey squirrels have been destroying young saplings. Animals such as songbirds, dormice and even bats were also threatened by the animal, he said.

“Nobody likes killing grey squirrels or any other animals for the sake of it, certainly conservationists don’t, but humans have put this imbalance in nature,” Mr Kennaway said. More info: redsquirrelsouthwest.org.uk

Red squirrel at Wildwood Escot in Devon Photo by Nick Withers