IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Friembichler, S. | |
| Die potentielle Verbreitung der Wildkatze _(Felis silvestris silvestris, Schreber,1777)_ in Oesterreich als Entscheidungsgrundlage fr weitere Schutzmassnahmen | |
| 2010 Full Book | |
Once the wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) was spread across large parts of Austria. Nowadays it is concidered to be extinct and little is known about the existance and spreading of this shy carnivore in Austria. This study concentrates on basic questiones like, if there are apropriate habitats for the wildcat in Austria, if there is the possibility of immigration from the neighbouring states and which barriers prevent the wildcat from migrating or which corridors can be used for migration. The results of this study may serve for future activities concerning the conservation of the wildcat in Austria. Based on a GIS model, a map of potential wildcat habitats in Austria was created, which incorporated the factors landcover, duration of snow covering and the size of wooded areas. A combination of potential barriers, existing corridors and the spreading of the wildcat in neighbouring states, makes it possible, to draw conclusions about likely routes of immigration to Austria. The results of this study demonstrate that there are sufficient apropriate habitats in Austria. The most adequate areas for the wildcat are predominantly situated in the east and northeast of Austria. Large, connected and apropriate habitates are to be found in the southeast of Styria (Frstenfeld, Feldbach Leibnitz, Graz Umgebung, Weiz, Mrzzuschlag and Hartberg), Burgenland (Jennersdorf, Gssing, Oberwart and Oberpullendorf), Lower Austria (Waldviertel) and Upper Austria (Mhlviertel). Due to the long duration and height of snow covering, the alps are not an adequate habitat for the wildcat. These results are reinforced by the fact that 95,6 % of the sites of discovery of the wildcat since 1957 are situated in the aforementioned potentially apropriate habitats. On closer examination of the 23 sites of discovery of the wildcat since 1957, and the spreading of the wildcat in neighbouring countries, it becomes clear, that it is highly unlikely, due to the sparse immigration of the wildcat, that an independent population can develop in Austria in the near future. After the determination and assessment of essential data, like the location of potential habitats, it is necessary, for a possible conservation project for the wildcat, to go ahead with further measures especially research, public relations, habitat protection, the connection of habitats and cooperation with the hunting lobby, to eventually enable the return of the wildcat in Austria. |
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