Wildcat kittens shown off by park

Staff said the kittens were playful and proving popular with visitors

Five Scottish wildcat kittens born in captivity at the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore have made their first official appearance in public.

The young are from two litters - two born to Betidh in early July closely followed by Seonaid, who had three.

The wildcat is one of Britain's rarest and elusive animals.

Head keeper, Morag Sellar, said: "We have an excellent history of breeding wildcat kittens at the Highland Wildlife Park."

She added: "These latest litters have been quite shy and have only started coming out of their box in the last few days.

"They are really playful and are proving to be very popular with our visitors."

Became extinct

In February, walkers in the Highlands were asked to help discover the true numbers of wildcat in the wild.

It became extinct in England and Wales 150 years ago but continues to be sighted in Scottish woods and moorland.

Some estimates suggest just 400 survive - although there could be up to 4,000.

Scottish Natural Heritage asked everyone who uses the countryside to take part in a year-long survey and report sightings of the timid animal.

The conservation body hopes to assess numbers and distribution.