Where busy roads cross a wildcat territory, the rare animals are at constant risk. Depending on the season and the food supply, wildcats regularly switch hunting grounds and thus cannot possibly avoid these danger zones. That is why death caused by traffic is one of the most frequent causes of death for wildcats. Aside from that, they are still hunted in some European countries. "Miss shots” because of the confusion with a domestic cat during regular hunting also cost wildcats their lives in many regions.
The measures aiming to bring the wildcat back to Austria are described in the action plan.
The campaign vielfaltleben was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management and implements many protection projects to preserve biodiversity. You can find comprehensive information on the wildcat in the info folder.
The diploma thesis on "The potential proliferation of the wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) in Austria as basis of decision for further protection measures” is looking at suitable habitats in Austria, immigration from neighboring countries, fences preventing the migration of wildcats and corridors they can use.
