Reigning Cats?

The European wild cat (Felis sylvestris) is Britain's rarest Mammal, being found in only a few remote areas of Scotland. Wild cats haven't been seen in England since the 16th Century. The Vincent Wildlife Trust is now exploring the possibility of reintroducing this animal to a secluded woodland in Devon/Cornwall (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/25/wildlife-trusts-consider-reintroducing-wildcats-to-england). The Trust is looking for expert help. Wild cats are unsociable, except briefly,when mating or rearing young. These hunters need lots of space for establishing home ranges. The woodland location would also have to have sufficient, viable populations of potential prey (small mammals and birds) resilient enough to cope with losses. The introduced Wild cats would also have to be effective hunters. There might be competition with other predators like foxes and birds of prey. There is also the problem of domestic cats. Domestic cats readily hybridise with wild cats. There is evidence of this genetic contamination in the Scottish populations. Reintroduction of the Wild cat to southern England (if it happens), isn't going to be an easy option.