They’re not really in competition. They’re mainly concentrated in the pretty much unpopulated highlands, whereas domestic cats owned by humans are mainly concentrated in the central belt.
Scottish Wildcats are endangered technically, but not in terms of competition from domestic cats killing them or taking their food. Rather, they’re interbreeding (because they’re so similar!). That’s just evolution at the end of the day.
Even though they’re still considered endangered because “pure” wildcats population is reducing, the wildcats are still living and creating offspring, some of which are still wild cats, even if they’re not purebred “wildcat”.
Talking about my own country specifically here:
They’re not really in competition. They’re mainly concentrated in the pretty much unpopulated highlands, whereas domestic cats owned by humans are mainly concentrated in the central belt.
Scottish Wildcats are endangered technically, but not in terms of competition from domestic cats killing them or taking their food. Rather, they’re interbreeding (because they’re so similar!). That’s just evolution at the end of the day.
Even though they’re still considered endangered because “pure” wildcats population is reducing, the wildcats are still living and creating offspring, some of which are still wild cats, even if they’re not purebred “wildcat”.
So irresponsible cat owners let their cats outside and didn’t neuter or spay them. Cool beans.
It’s just evolution lol