A New Merida & Brave Arrive in Scotland

When:     Friday 22^nd June 2012 at 9.30am
Where:     Scottish wildcat enclosure, The Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire PH21 1NL

The Highland Wildlife Park in Inverness-shire is delighted to present Merida and Brave, the two month old Scottish wildcat kitten twins.

Set in mythical Scotland, Brave includes many historic and current Scottish native species – so what could be more appropriate than naming an iconic Scottish species after what is all set to be an iconic Scottish film?

The kittens were born on the 8^th April and have just been sexed by their keepers, and this brother and sister act is already pretty adventurous, tumbling around with each other and practicing their pouncing.

Merida in particular seems to share more than just a name with the film’s main character as she has quite an adventurous and feisty personality.  The kittens are certainly keeping proud parents, five year old mum Seasaidh and eight year old dad Hamish, busy.

Scottish wildcats, also known as Highland tigers, are one of Britain’s rarest animals with as few as 400 thought to be left in the UK, mainly in the Scottish Highlands.  These felines at first glance could be mistaken for a feral domestic cat, although they have several characteristics unique to wildcats.  Wildcats have wider heads, distinctive striped coats and blunt bushy tails.

Una Richardson, head keeper at the Highland Wildlife Park, said:

“It is an exciting time for the Highland Wildlife Park, as we welcomed the arrival of our twin Scottish wildcat kittens, meaning we now have six Scottish wildcats in total.

“Twins ‘Brave’ and ‘Merida’, have become quite bold and are often seen exploring their enclosure and running along an overhead walkway. We think these little kittens are well suited to their names.  As brother and sister they love nothing more than to play with each other, although I would say our male kitten is definitely the bossier twin!

“As there are thought to be less than 400 Scottish wildcats left in the Highlands, these cats are incredibly rare and endangered so this is a huge milestone for this species and the park.  Merida and Brave are the latest kittens of successful breeding pair Seasaidh and Hamish, the kittens will play a vital role in the conservation of this historic Scottish species along with increasing visitor awareness of the problems facing this most iconic Scottish animal.”

About the Highland Wildlife Park

• The Highland Wildlife Park is owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), a registered charity, charity no SC004064.  For further information on all our conservation projects and events, please visit our websites www.highlandwildlifepark.org or www.rzss.org.uk
• You can also find the Highland Wildlife Park on social media:

-          Facebook www.facebook.com/highlandwildlifepark

-          Twitter  www.twitter.com/HighlandWPark

-          YouTube www.youtube.com/highlandwildlifepark

• The Highland Wildlife Park specialises in Scottish species, past and present, and other cold weather adapted animals from around the world.
• This June the Highland Wildlife Park celebrates its 40^th anniversary.  Opened in 1972, the Park is located in 200 acres within the Cairngorms National Park.
• The Highland Wildlife Park is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).  BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.  For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.

For further information please contact:
Rachel Goddard, PR Manager on 0131 314 0312 or rgoddard@rzss.org.uk
Grant Thomson, PR Assistant on 0131 314 0383 or gthomson@rzss.org.uk

Photos copyright and courtesy: Alex Riddell

Category: News & Press