Un félin sauvage en Île-de-France ? Le retour du chat forestier

Summary

The European wildcat is a secretive forest species that was historically persecuted and declined in France until protected in the 1970s. It remains threatened by habitat loss and hybridization with domestic cats, requiring genetic testing to confirm pure individuals. Studies show wildcats favor mosaic habitats like forests with open clearings and avoid roads. Conservation actions like corridors benefit wildcats and other species. Despite threats, wildcats still inhabit large interconnected forest areas in northeastern France, including the Paris region.

Takeaways

• 🐱 The European wildcat (Forest cat) is a very discreet species, which has largely gone unnoticed by naturalists.
• 🕵‍♂‏ Historically, wildcats were targeted for destruction due to perceived impacts on game populations and for their fur.
• 🌲 France has two main populations of wildcats: one in the Pyrenees and another in the northeastern quadrant.
• ⚖️ Legal protection since the 1970s has allowed the wildcat to expand into broader areas, preventing its potential extinction in France.
• 🐈 The domestic cat is very closely related to the European wildcat, both belonging to the same species and capable of interbreeding.
• 🧡 Morphological differences exist between wildcats, hybrid cats, and feral domestic cats, though identification can be challenging without genetic analysis.
• 🐯 The African/Middle Eastern 'ganté' cat was domesticated instead of the European wildcat, likely due to its usefulness in early agricultural societies.
• 🐾 Wildcats historically faced persecution, being seen as competitors with humans and having a reputation as a secretive and menacing predator.
• 🌿 Wildcats prefer habitats with a mosaic of forest, clearings, and agricultural areas, requiring forests for shelter, especially for rearing young.
• 🐮 The wildcat is a solitary animal, with males having large territories that overlap with several females, yet they do not live in close proximity to each other.
• 🚧 Main threats include habitat destruction, agricultural intensification, hybridization with domestic cats, and disease transmission from domestic cats.
• 🐕 Conservation efforts include genetic studies and the use of scent attractants for monitoring, emphasizing the importance of ecological corridors for gene flow.

Q & A

Why was the wild cat largely unnoticed by naturalists for a long time?

The wild cat is a very discreet species, so it went unnoticed by naturalists who were observing many other species for a long time.

How was the wild cat population affected before its protection in the 1970s?

The wild cat population was in decline before its protection in the 1970s. Wild cats were destroyed because they were seen as having an impact on game animals and were hunted for their fur.

What are the main physical differences between the wild cat and the domestic cat?

The wild cat is generally larger with a much bushier, wider tail with black rings and a black tip. It has some distinct markings like a black mask on the face.

Why is hybridization with domestic cats a threat to wild cats?

Hybridization leads to a loss of original genetic diversity and adaptations in the wild cat subspecies. It also exposes wild cats to common feline diseases.

What type of habitat does the wild cat prefer?

The wild cat prefers a mosaic habitat with different structures - forest, clearings, open areas. It needs forest for rest and breeding sites.

How do wild cats interact with others of their species?

Wild cats are solitary but live in proximity to others. A male may have a territory overlapping with 2-3 females.

What conservation actions could help wild cat persistence in the region?

Maintaining habitat connectivity through ecological corridors between forest areas can facilitate wild cat movement and genetic exchange.

Why did wild cats historically have a bad reputation?

Wild cats were seen as a competitor predator to humans. Their discreet nature led to exaggerations about them being ferocious.

What evidence is collected to identify wild cats and hybrids?

Hair samples are collected and analyzed genetically to confirm if an individual is a pure wild cat or a hybrid with domestics.

How can wild cats still persist in a dense urban area like Ile-de-France?

There are still interconnecting wooded areas that allow wild cats to move around. More ecological corridors would further help connectivity.