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An international team of researchers has found new archaeological and genetic evidence that transforms our understanding of the history of cats in Europe. The team sequenced and analysed both wild and domestic cats, including 48 modern individuals and 258 ancient samples excavated from 85 archaeological sites over the last 8,500 years. They then assessed the patterns of hybridisation after domestic cats were introduced to Europe over 2,000 years ago and came into contact with native European wildcats.
A wildcat which is part of the Saving Wildcats conservation breeding for release programme that conducted the first release of wildcats to the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, in 2023
The results of the studies demonstrate that, since their introduction, domestic cats and European wildcats generally avoided mating. About 50 years ago in Scotland, however, that all changed. Perhaps as a result of dwindling wildcat populations and a lack of opportunity to mate with other wildcats, rates of interbreeding between wild and domestic cats rose rapidly.
To view a summary of the research and the full paper, visit https://bit.ly/ftcats