Wildcats Project


Our sponsorship for the wild cats


Our association Regenwald-Hilfe eV will end the national wildcat project 2020 in December. We took advantage of this occasion and with one Donate € 500 to sponsor the wild cats with the BUND and the Wildcat Rescue Network. With the financial support, the BUND can help the wildcat get back on its feet. We use it to build green corridors made of trees and bushes, for example, and thus reconnect forest areas with one another. Our long-term goal is a network of forests across Germany. BUND has already laid out 25 corridors in the last 15 years, and more are to follow!



But what exactly does our sponsorship do? In the following you will find out what means we use for the BUND
could help:


The wildcats project

Habitat fragmentation is one of the worst causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Germany is one of the hardest hit countries. The expansion of the transport infrastructure and the construction of
Residential and commercial areas mean that the habitats of many species are increasingly pushed into the background.

The animal species living in the forest react much more sensitively to changes in the landscape than species that are already familiar with the open country.
Sudden forest-field transitions act like insurmountable barriers to the species. The exchange within the species, which is necessary for the survival of populations, is thus interrupted.

The goal of the project

A large biotope network is high on the list of numerous species and environmental protection organizations. Since 2004, BUND has been committed to the "Wildcat Rescue Network" project for the re-networking of forests throughout Germany. Animal species living in the forest such as wild cats, dormice or tree frogs should be able to migrate safely again through this project, colonize new habitats and be able to enter into genetic exchange with conspecifics. The "ideal" forest crossing should be up to 50 meters wide. It should consist of strips of trees, bushes and grass to offer the wild cats a typical forest climate. The hedge bushes and hedges of the responsible hunters also offer our native animals protection and cover.

The so-called Wildcat Path Plan (WKWP) of the BUND serves as the planning basis for the forest network.
The WKWP is a strategic instrument for nature conservation. It enables the favorable connections between wildcat habitats. This plan is intended to serve as a planning aid for those responsible at the federal, state and local levels when intervening in nature. The biotope network has been anchored in the Federal Nature Conservation Act since 2002. A biotope network system is to be developed on at least ten percent of the land area, which is also intended to improve the connection between the Natura 2000 protected areas.


The cats and the valerian

Wildcat monitoring is one of the most important components of this project. For this purpose, the BUND is building a nationwide gene database for wild cats together with other associations. It is intended to help improve the networking plans in the long term.

The lockstock studies clarify questions about genetic diversity, landscape barriers and interbreeding with domestic cats. The wooden pegs sprayed with valerian attract the wild cats, especially during the winter mating season. While the cats rub themselves with relish on the rough wood, they lose hair, which is collected and sent to the Senckenberg Research Institute, where it is analyzed. Thus, the inventory can be documented sustainably.


Wildcats - the ambassadors of the forest

The habitat of the European wildcat are the large and structurally rich mixed deciduous forests in Germany. But the dense, busy road network and cleared arable land make it difficult for her to survive. Many people don't know that we actually still have wild cats. It is always confused with normal house cats that go for a walk in the forest. We will show you how easily you can distinguish a wild cat from a house cat and which useful tips are important.



How do I behave correctly?


Wildcats require special care when in human care. Therefore: Do not bring a wild cat to animal shelters or cat help. Here there is an extreme risk of infection with various cat diseases. Report your sighting to the responsible nature conservation authority, the BUND or our association
Rainforest Aid eV

  • It is a criminal offense to remove healthy wild cats from the forest.

  • The European wildcat is one of the "specially protected" species.

  • The wildcat is classified as "endangered" on the red list.

  • It is subject to the European protection regulations of the Habitats Directive (Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive) and is in Appendix IV, which lists "species of flora and fauna to be strictly protected".

Your contact options in the event of wildcat sightings, injuries or other concerns are:

  1. The wildcat office in your region.
    For Lower Saxony based in Hanover
    Tel: 0511/96 569 39
    Mail: wildkatze.niedersachsen@bund.net

  2. Our non-profit association Regenwald-Hilfe eV
    Tel: 05161/78 75 374
    Mobile: 0160/37 87 577
    Mail: info@regenwald-hilfe.de

  3. The responsible nature conservation authority in your region