Hi Everyone
We wanted to say an enormous thank you from Finlay and the whole team here at Wildcat Haven. Your true generosity helped us to reach and exceed our crowd funder target for our wildcat rehabilitation enclosure.
Despite Covid restrictions and the recent wintry weather, we have had construction teams on site planning the structure. We are proceeding as fast as humanly possibly and are so excited that building will start this coming Monday. The timing is great as it will be completed in just under 2 weeks, which will be early spring and the perfect time for Finlay to start his journey back to to the wild.
It is clear to us that Finlay’s story has touched the hearts of many people. His bravery, determination, resilience and will to survive, seems to have struck a chord with everyone in these very difficult times. He is now strong and agile, in perfect health and with a huge appetite. However we constantly think back to how he came to be with us. Orphaned at three weeks old and forced to leave the security of his den to try and find his mother. Crawling through the undergrowth during severe storms in the wind and rain. He was found soaking wet and close to death but with enough spirit to grab the chance to survive when it came. It always brings a tear to our eyes even now, but at the same time fills us with the utmost respect for this beautiful being and the determination to do our very best for him and every single remaining wildcat out there.
Finlay has already been a fantastic ambassador for Scottish wildcats, highlighting their plight and generating interest across the world. The funds you so kindly provided, will not just help Finlay, but also any future wildcat kittens that are found. Although Finlay doesn’t know it, he is also helping us to develop survey techniques that will hopefully be hugely important in helping to find and protect the remaining wildcat populations, in the wild where they belong. We will provide more information on this aspect shortly, but it’s hugely exciting and potentially game changing for wildcat monitoring. Finlay’s ongoing legacy will be significant.
Once again thank you so very much and we will provide pictures as the enclosure develops as well as some recent pictures and videos of Finlay.
If you want to support our work, adopt a wildcat or find out more, please visit:
All the best
Finlay and the Wildcat Haven Team