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Forest Operations and Wildcats - Guidance Note

Last updated :19 Jun 2025

Topic: Manage forests

Sub topic: Forest operations

Guidance for forest managers on how to avoid or minimise risk of committing offences against wildcats. 

Summary

Scottish wildcats are a legally protected species. It's a criminal offence to:

  • capture, injure or kill wildcats
  • disturb or obstruct access to breeding sites 
  • damage or destroy breeding sites, even accidentally

Wildcats live mostly in northern and central Scotland, above the Highland Boundary Fault. If you are planning forestry operations in this area, wildcats should be an operational consideration. 

This guidance note outlines what to do and measures to maintain or improve woodland habitat for wildcats. 

Forest Operations and Wildcats - Guidance Note

PDF | (854.70 KB )

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