Kielder Forest Wildcat Project: frequently asked questions

At this stage, reintroducing European wildcats to Kielder Forest is only being explored. We're conducting feasibility studies and engaging with communities and stakeholders to gather views and insights.

Forestry England is leading feasibility studies in north-east England. These will guide decisions based on best practice. If significant risks are identified, the project will not move forward.

Forestry England are not considering a lynx reintroduction to Kielder Forest.

The independent body, Lifescape Project, have approached us at Forestry England with findings from their national feasibility study. We have declined to progress this reintroduction project with them. Where reasonable, Forestry England provides information about the nation’s forests to support research and feasibility studies.

Wildcats mainly hunt small mammals like mice, voles, and rabbits. Poultry protected from foxes and pine martens will also be safe from wildcats. Fish in ponds are not typical prey.

Wildcats may occasionally prey on water voles, as do other species like herons and otters. This potential impact is being considered in the feasibility studies.

Research suggests wildcats do not pose a threat to livestock. Predation on lambs is considered very rare and unlikely.

Wildcats typically hunt small mammals such as rabbits and voles. While they might occasionally take gamebirds, those already protected from predators like foxes and pine martens would likely be safe. If the project progresses, it would involve working with gamekeepers to explore any concerns.

The European wildcat is one of Britain’s rarest mammals, nearly extinct. They evolved alongside native species and play a natural role in the ecosystem. Wildcats live at low densities and rely on common prey, so their impact is expected to be minimal. This would be assessed thoroughly before any decisions are made.

Wildcats mainly prey on small mammals. Birds are a minor part of their diet. They hunt by sound and pouncing, and while they can climb, it’s not typically for hunting. Any potential impact on bird populations would be considered in feasibility studies.

If wildcats were reintroduced to Kielder Forest, forest management practices could be adapted to support their conservation. Timber harvesting might be timed to avoid sensitive periods like breeding season, and wildcat ecological surveys could become part of routine operations. Forest managers would work closely with conservation experts to ensure habitats are protected while maintaining sustainable forestry practices.

Wildcats need large areas to live and hunt. If reintroduction were to happen, den sites would likely be spaced out. Female wildcats typically have home ranges of around 14 square kilometres, though this can vary between 4 and 29 square kilometres depending on habitat and individual behaviour. This means denning sites would not be clustered closely together. Any future planning would consider spacing and buffer zones carefully to minimise disturbance.

England is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, numerous national and international commitments to recover biodiversity have been agreed by the UK government.

Reintroducing lost species like wildcats could help restore ecosystems and support biodiversity. If the project goes ahead, it would contribute to national efforts to recover nature.

Wildcats are shy, nocturnal animals that avoid humans. Even if reintroduced, sightings would be extremely rare, even near release areas.

If wildcats were reintroduced, they would likely stay within habitats that support their survival, mainly woodlands and dense cover for shelter, and open areas like grasslands and scrub for hunting.

Through our feasibility work, we want to understand whether there is enough of this suitable habitat in the Kielder Forest area to support a wildcat population. We would expect that over time, likely in the following generations, wildcats would explore the wider landscape where suitable habitat and habitat corridors exist.

Through our feasibility work, we will be understanding whether the Kielder Forest area could support a self-sustaining population through the habitat and prey available, based on information from other wildcat populations in Europe. If wildcats were reintroduced, their population would likely be self-regulating. Unlike domestic cats, wildcats only hunt what they need, and their numbers would be limited by available prey and habitat.

We have successfully integrated monitoring of other reintroduced and recovered species in Kielder Forest. If the project progresses, it would build on existing experience monitoring other species in Kielder. Ongoing collaboration with experts would help guide future staffing and resource needs.

The Kielder Forest Wildcat Project is hosted by Forestry England’s Forest Wilding programme and is funded by DEFRA. If the project moves forward, future funding needs would be carefully assessed to support all stages - from planning to long-term monitoring.

If wildcats were released, they would be closely monitored using GPS collars to track their movements and wellbeing. Feasibility studies are assessing risks such as disease, persecution, and forestry operations. If risks are too high, reintroduction would not proceed.

Wildcats can interbreed with domestic cats, especially when wildcat numbers are low. Feasibility work is exploring local cat populations and potential mitigation, such as neutering and vaccination programmes, to reduce this risk.

Wildcats typically avoid people and human habitation. Wildcats are the size of a large domestic cat. Wildcats and domestic cats may encounter each other at times in the landscape, just as domestic cats already encounter other common predators such as foxes – and indeed other domestic cats. Any released wildcats would be health-checked, and our feasibility work is considering disease risks and potential mitigation, including vaccination programmes.

Birds and mammals have been successfully recolonised or reintroduced to Kielder; two new mammal species have become part of the forest in the past five years. Currently, North District are focused on recovering water vole, pine marten, ospreys and golden eagle – all of which are now present in, or visitors to, the area.

There are no confirmed release dates at this stage. Forestry England is still carrying out essential research to decide whether the project should proceed. This includes assessing potential environmental impacts, meeting conservation requirements, and undertaking further engagement with local stakeholders before any decisions are made.

We’re still in the early feasibility stage, so no decisions have been made yet. Our team is working closely with experts to explore best practice and identify potential sources.

We are currently undertaking feasibility work. Reintroductions are a delicate process. The welfare of the animals must come first, alongside careful consideration of the views and needs of the communities and stakeholders where reintroduction is proposed.